The Cross River State Government has approved funding for the completion of a kidney dialysis centre at the General Hospital, Ogoja, as part of efforts to expand access to specialist healthcare services in the northern senatorial district of the state.

The state Commissioner for Health, Dr Henry Ayuk, disclosed this in a statement made available to journalists on Friday in Calabar.

He said the project was expected to close a major gap in renal healthcare by bringing life-saving dialysis services closer to patients who currently travel to neighbouring states and other parts of Cross River to access treatment.

According to Ayuk, the approval by Governor Bassey Otu underscores the administration’s commitment to strengthening healthcare infrastructure and ensuring equitable access to quality medical services across the state.

“Governor Bassey Otu has approved funding for the completion of a kidney dialysis centre at the General Hospital, Ogoja LGA. This intervention reflects Governor Otu’s commitment to strengthening healthcare infrastructure and ensuring equitable access to quality medical services across Cross River State,” he said.

The commissioner explained that the decision was informed by the increasing number of kidney disease cases and the absence of a functional dialysis referral centre in the northern part of the state.

He noted that many patients requiring dialysis currently travel to Makurdi, Abakaliki and Calabar for treatment, exposing them to significant physical, emotional and financial strain.

Ayuk described the project as a strategic investment that would improve access to specialist renal care, reduce the need for patients to seek treatment outside the district and improve health outcomes for people living with kidney disease.

“This intervention is a strategic investment in the health sector that will substantially reduce the need for patients to seek treatment outside the district while improving survival outcomes for people living with kidney disease.

“It will help patients requiring renal dialysis who often seek medical care in Makurdi, Abakaliki and Calabar, as the stress of travelling exposes them to additional physical and financial hardship,” he said.