Henry Egbe Ayuk, the Cross River State Health Commissioner says the unqualified vendors operating the pharmacy at the General Hospital in Calabar are responsible for some of the issues plaguing the hospital.
Ayuk who paid an unscheduled visit to the hospital on Monday, came clear that, “the people managing the pharmacy are not qualified. They do not have any background in pharmacy; so we do not know why they are there. As far as I am concerned, that place is a quack shop because it does not have the required personnel. How do you ensure quality assurance when you do not have even pharmacy technicians, which is a minimum requirement for such services?”
He accordingly, directed that there should be an immediate review of the memorandum of understanding that brought the quacks to the hospital pharmacy. “I have asked that their services be suspended. Government officials (the Medical Superintendent, accountants of the hospital and Ministry of Health, hospital pharmacists, etc) have been directed to take charge, have a record of the stock balance, and ensure accountability in their operations until more effective arrangements are put in place.”
While expressing concern over the shortage of skilled professionals to manage critical aspects of the state’s healthcare system, he revealed that a particular group is receiving approximately 15% of all hospital revenue and allocating it to specific parties under an agreement seemingly established by the Ben Ayade government.
“We have asked that these people come to the office for their agreement to be looked into. We want to see exactly what value they are bringing to the hospital that guarantees the 15 percent they receive,” he stated.
He implored laboratory staff to ensure accountability and prevent revenue losses, while also praising the local chapter of the Nigeria Medical Association, NMA, for restoring medical services to hospitals after a 40-day work stoppage due to the abduction of a female physician in Calabar.
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