The Cross River state government is partnering with an American-based organisation, Sharing Hope Medical Mission, to host a 16-day medical outreach in the state, Governor Bassey Otu has said.

Mr Otu said at a meeting with a representative of the mission on Monday in Calabar that the outreach would take place between October 4 and 19.

Represented by Henry Ayuk, the commissioner for health, Mr Otu said that the initiative was in line with his administration’s policy of putting the people first.

He said that no fewer than 30 healthcare professionals, comprising doctors, nurses, and respiratory therapists, among others, would be participating in the exercise.

“Our government’s mantra of putting the people first is centred on the wellbeing of the people,” he said.

The governor said that the state government would provide the enabling environment for the outreach to take place successfully.

“We have designated the general hospitals in Calabar and Odukpani for the free medical exercise.

“I enjoin residents of the state to take advantage of the outreach and other health programmes of the state government in the interest of their wellbeing,” he said.

Ismail Bello, a representative of the mission, said that the exercise was aimed at providing healthcare services to the less privileged.

“Our target is to enhance healthcare delivery through a multifaceted approach such as training, surgical interventions, and continuous collaboration with local healthcare providers.

“The services will include advanced trauma life support, advanced cardiac life support, basic life support, surgeries, and consultancy services,” she said.

She said that volunteers from diverse health specialties will be conducting training programmes, and that essential medical support would be donated to members of the public.

(NAN)