Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River has ordered the immediate data capture and treatment of Joshua Moses, a six-year-old hernia patient.

Godwin Iyala, the director-general of Cross River State Health Insurance Agency, disclosed the governor’s directive at a meeting with Master Joshua’s family in Calabar on Friday.

“The governor directed the health insurance agency to immediately capture Joshua’s data and urgently carry out surgery on him.

“I personally supervised his enrolment into the scheme; we are also intensifying efforts to reach out to other vulnerable people in the state,” he said.

Mr Iyala said Master Joshua had been admitted at the Henshaw Town Primary Health Centre, where he would be referred to the General Hospital, Calabar, for surgery.

The DG said the gesture was part of the government’s efforts to ensure people from poor backgrounds also had access to healthcare services.

“Cross River people are urged to take advantage of these schemes; they are designed to provide affordable and lifesaving healthcare services,” he said.

The boy’s father, Morris Moses, a security guard, described the intervention as “nothing short of a miracle.”

Mr Moses thanked the governor for the intervention, saying, ” I am not sure that I would have been able to raise the money for Joshua’s treatment.

(NAN)