The Cross River State Government through the Ministry of Health, has commenced final preparations for the unveiling of the newly completed ultra-modern General Hospital in Obudu, signalling a major boost to healthcare delivery in Obudu and its surrounding communities.

Located along Ogoja Road, the facility is being positioned as a premier centre for healing, equipped to deliver high-quality, people-centred medical services. Spearheaded by the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Henry Egbe Ayuk, the project represents a significant stride in the state government’s resolve to bridge healthcare gaps through modern infrastructure and improved access to care.

Following a recent site inspection, key project leaders convened to fine-tune the operational roadmap ahead of the hospital’s formal launch.

The inspection focused on ensuring that all wards, laboratories and critical service areas are fully ready for immediate clinical use, with the overarching goal of transitioning the facility into a fully functional medical institution without delay.

Speaking to newsmen during the inspection, Dr. Ayuk emphasised the urgency of the project, stressing the administration’s readiness to commence operations as soon as final preparations are complete. “Once everything is in place, I will not waste time coming to start the operation,” the commissioner assured.

Dr. Ayuk said staffing and security were prominent in the review process. “The hospital has already secured a core team of professionals, including trained nursing graduates and an experienced laboratory technician, as efforts intensify to close remaining personnel gaps. Particular attention is being given to establishing a robust 24-hour security system to safeguard the hospital’s modern medical equipment and ensure uninterrupted service delivery. Plans are already underway to strengthen security staffing to guarantee round-the-clock protection.”

In a bid to entrench community ownership and trust, the commissioner revealed that the Ministry of Health is mobilising a wide network of stakeholders ahead of the hospital’s launch. Engagements are ongoing with the Obudu Local Government Council, faith-based organisations such as the Catholic Church, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), and the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), as well as the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), youth councils, and traditional leaders from the Obukpa and Gbara communities of the Obudu Local Government Area.

“By engaging these diverse groups, the Ministry aims to ensure broad awareness, collective responsibility and sustained patronage of the facility. With final legal and administrative processes nearing completion, the General Hospital Obudu is poised to usher in a new era of accessible, high-quality healthcare, underscoring the Cross River State Government’s commitment to improving the wellbeing of its people,” Ayuk concluded.