The Lumine News

Category: COVID-19

  • C’River Launches “SCALE 3.0” Strategy For Covid-19 Vaccination, Commence 3 Months Intensive Integrated Vaccination Campaign

    C’River Launches “SCALE 3.0” Strategy For Covid-19 Vaccination, Commence 3 Months Intensive Integrated Vaccination Campaign

     

    The Cross River State Government has flagged off an optimized vaccination scheme termed “SCALE 3.0” to address poor compliance of vaccination exercise as well as accelerate integrated service delivery across the state.

    In an event flagged off by the state Governor, Senator Ben Ayade in company of strategic health Implementing Partners in the state, recorded huge turn out of targeted population in a show of embrace to the deliberate health interventions over the years.

    The Governor, Professor, Ben Ayade who was represented by the Chairman, House Committee on Health, Hon. Dr. Ekpo Ekpo Bassey, in his Keynote address, noted that the SCALES 3.0 strategy will address the identified implementation gaps in SCALES 2.0 and bring about more accountability for performance, strengthen electronic data reporting and promote robust demand generation at the community levels.

    He further stated that the government has a responsibility to ensure that people are in good health and are not infected with COVID-19 as well as other diseases noting that the government has decided to maximize efforts to take vaccination closer to the people and meet their most challenging needs.

    In an earlier address, Director General of the Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (CRSPHCDA), Dr. Janet Ekpenyong thanked all partners for their support and contributions to the vaccination drive in the state, adding that the SCALES 3.0 will operate more focused campaign with mobile and specialized teams taking vaccines to where people live, work and to the hard to reach areas across the state.

    She further mentioned that the services of the agency will not just be in the facilities, but ensures that healthcare3 services will be closer to the people with assured regular sensitization, awareness and outreaches to end preventable deaths.

    “Our services will not only be at the facility level, but we will ensure that we move services closer to the people. Our mobile teams will be moving from one place to the other to get many people especially those eligible to take the vaccine.
    We are also going to decentralize communication and ensure that people at the grassroots are mobilized. We will be working with all the strategic people, traditional leaders, religious leaders, and several other organizations that we can leverage to get many people vaccinated.”

    “We are hoping to achieve the 70% target before the end of the year and see how we can achieve herd immunity as soon as possible. This for us is an opportunity to improve vaccine coverage and ensure that as many people as possible should be vaccinated. Over 500,000 people have been vaccinated in the state, and we are hoping that we can hit the 2.2 million target before the end of 2022″.

    Ekpenyong also thanked Governor Ayade for his commitment to the health sector for ensuring that every Cross Riverian is protected against COVID-19, adding that the Johnson and Johnson vaccine as well as other brands are properly stored to maintain potency and viability.

    Similarly, the Executive Director, National Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr. Faisal Shuaib, represented by Mrs. Ifeyinwa Onwudinjo in his remarks, disclosed that only 3 states have vaccination coverage of over 50 percent thereby leaving 34 states performing sub-optimally in terms of COVID-19 vaccination coverage.

    According to him, “the SCALES 3.0 strategy will enable the Federal, State and Local Government to reach every eligible population in Nigeria with COVID-19 vaccine”.

    He also stressed that the SCALES 3.0 strategy will be anchored on an intensive 3 months campaign, performance-based incentives, optimized integrated package of services, decentralized and incentivized demand generation strategies, partner coordination and accountability, and state-specific context and strategies.

    Also speaking at the launch, Mrs. Joy Chabo, State Immunization Officer, CRSPHCDA, stated that the SCALES 3.0 would be using a human-centered demand generation design to address low COVID-19 perceptions in the state.

    She added that the strategy encourages more outreach where the vaccines will be taken to doorsteps, shops, markets, churches, schools, and every part of the state, regardless of the location.

    SCALES is an acronym for ‘service delivery, communication, accountability, logistics, electronic reporting, and supportive supervision’ for the ongoing COVID-19 vaccination.

    The launch had in attendance representatives from the World Health Organization (WHO), FHI360, Breakthrough ACTION-Nigeria, Heartland Alliance, kncv Tuberculosis, Foundation Nigeria, amongst others.

  • UNICROSS Undergraduates Commits To Be Covid-19 Vaccination Champions In C’River State

    UNICROSS Undergraduates Commits To Be Covid-19 Vaccination Champions In C’River State

    By Simon Ushie

    Students of the Cross River University (UNICROSS), have pledged to champion the Covid-19 Vaccination sensitization in their campus, among their peers and across the state.

    They made the commitment during a town hall meeting organized by the Cross River State Government through the State Primary Healthcare Development Agency in collaboration with the conveners of the Campus Youth Covid-19 Vaccination Drive Initiative with support from the World Health Organization and the United Nations Children fund in Calabar, the Cross River State Capital.

    Addressing the over 400 students who came out for the event, the Director General of the Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr Janet Ekpenyong urged the students to take advantage of their Educational exposure and carry out researches instead of relying on social media propaganda aimed at discreditng the Covid-19 Vaccines.

    Represented by the Director Disease Control and Immunization, Mrs Joy Chabo , the DG outlined the dangers of virus mutation in the body which is only prevented through vaccination and adherence to laid down Protocols.

    She appealed to the young scholars whom she described as “the future of the nation” to join hands with government and other relevant bodies to ensure that the state, nation and the world remains pandemic free stating that the State Primary Healthcare Development Agency is opened for partnership with individuals and groups sharing same Vision.

    Also speaking, representative of the Campus Youth Covid-19 Vaccination Drive Initiative, Mr Emmanuel Bamidele said it was necessary to raise champions to help push for vaccination in campuses as the nation works towards getting more people vaccinated, he outlined the responsibilities of the champions to include; Tracking rumours, helping debunk rumours, sharing accurate information, promoting vaccine update, helping friends and family get the right information, rapid Surveying etc.

    Mr Bassey Etim, a Director in the state Primary Healthcare Development Agency also engaged the students on the dangers and harm caused by relaying wrong messages and unverified statements as he challenged them to mention anyone whose adverse effect due to Immunization had led to death or deformity as speculated.

    He encouraged them to get vaccinated and preach the good news noting that, though there is a reduction in reported cases, the virus is still in circulation and affecting those with weak antibodies who may not have been vaccinated.

    Representative from the sponsors applauded the state government for placing health enlightenment campaigns above other programs as they stated that, they are pleased with the level of information circulating around the state and the compliance to vaccination.

    The joyful students pledged their readiness to work with the state government in raising awareness on Covid-19 Vaccination and prevention of other diseases while also volunteering to be vaccinated .

    At the end of the meeting, over 250 students were vaccinated while others chose a different date.

    Also at the meeting were Representatives of National Primary Healthcare Development Agency, staff of CRSPHCDA and University of Cross River amongst others.

  • Ekpenyong Joins South South Leaders for Covid19 Town Hall Meeting in Benin, Edo State

    Ekpenyong Joins South South Leaders for Covid19 Town Hall Meeting in Benin, Edo State

     

    As measures to hit herd immunization and achieve 100% coverage on Covid-19 Vaccination remains a priority, leaders from the South South region of Nigeria have converged in Benin, the Edo state Capital to seek ways of combating rumours, fears and misconception about the Covid19 Vaccines.

    The Town Hall Meeting which was organized by the Presidential Steering Committee on Covid-19 in collaboration with National Primary Healthcare Development Agency had representatives from all South South states share their experiences on strategies adopted in reaching out to the already vaccinated groups.

    It was also an avenue to galvanize support and buy-in from all stakeholders and key influencers including traditional, religious leaders, government, academia, private sector etc on the need to encourage people to get vaccinated while dispelling all rumors and myths surrounding the Covid-19 Vaccination.

    At the end of the event, everyone pledged their support to the ongoing Vaccination exercise in the country and called for Nigerians to embrace vaccines as it will help the nation achieve herd immunity.

    With Cross River State emerging top performer in the first round of the Nationwide vaccination exercise, the state has remained a reference point with it’s strategies of mass Mobilization, deliberate Sensitization and awareness creation to both private and public institutes, Religious groups being recommended to other states.

    Present at the meeting were the Director General of Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr Janet Ekpenyong , the Honourable Minister of health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, the Executive Director of National Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr Faisal Shuaib, the Chairman House Committee on health, Dr Yusuf Sununu, the Obol Lopon of Ugep, HRM Obol Ofem Eteng Ubana and other first class traditional rulers from the zone, Executive Secretaries of state Primary Healthcare boards, WHO country rep W. Kazadi Mulombo and state reps including Mrs Chisom Emeka(CRS WHO coordinator), Cross River State Coordinator of NPHCDA Mr Julius Idoko and other key stakeholders across the zone.

  • Breaking: Two inmates Of The Nigeria Correctional Centre, Tests Positive For COVID-19.

    Breaking: Two inmates Of The Nigeria Correctional Centre, Tests Positive For COVID-19.

    Two inmates of the Nigeria Correctional Service, Cross River State Custodial Center has tested positive for COVID-19.

    The State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Beta Edu confirmed the first-hand development as she disclosed that, they are two, one male the other female. She further revealed that they have been isolated to avoid spread.

    ©CrossRiverWatch

  • Covid-19: Cross River State Records 5 Cases

    Covid-19: Cross River State Records 5 Cases

    By Elijah Ugani – Calabar

    The Nigeria Center for Disease Control NCDC had uploaded the controversial 5 cases of covid 19 positive cases in the state as was reported by the management of the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital.

    This development must have settled the altercation between the Cross River State government and UCTH management as well as clear the doubt about the actual state of things in the state.

    The altercation which also had the Nigerian Medical Association being at war of words with the state government, had led to NMA withdrawing from public service in the state and requested NCDC to offer explanation as to why it refused to upload the result sent from UCTH.

    With this upload, one could be believe that UCTH, NMA and other professional medical bodies in the state has won in what many had described as a propaganda to discredit the efforts made by the Cross River State Government in the fight against Covid 19.

  • C’River Govt counters UCTH, says state remains Covid-19 free

    C’River Govt counters UCTH, says state remains Covid-19 free

    Source: Paradise News

    The Cross River Government has countered the position of the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital on the presence of Coronavirus disease in the state.

    An internal memo signed by the Chief Medical Director of the tertiary health facility, Prof. Ikpeme Ikpeme, on Thursday, had advised staff and patients to observe caution after a patient recently tested positive to Covid-19, using the rapid test method.

    But in a swift reaction, the state government in a press release signed by the Commissioner for Health and Chairman of the State Covid-19 Taskforce, Dr Betta Edu, said the methodology used in arriving at such conclusion was not reliable, adding that even the Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC) has warned against depending only on the rapid test method to draw conclusion.

    According to the release, “It is important to state that an index COVID-19 case can only be confirmed with PCR and not the antibody Rapid Diagnostic test kits which the NCDC had said has very low sensitivity and specificity therefore should not be used for COVID 19 diagnosis.

    “As a state Government we have commenced investigation into this case and we will get back to the public with our findings. All efforts to identify and isolate suspected cases will be encouraged but we denounce any attempt to label CRS COVID-19 Positive using a rapid antibody testing methodology. For now Cross River State has no comfirmed case of COVID-19.

    “We use this opportunity to further call on the Federal Ministry of Health and NCDC to as a matter of urgency, support Cross River state in the fight against COVID-19.

    “We urge all Cross Riverians to remain calm and not panic, but simply step up efforts in adhering to all safety procedures in the state to prevent COVID-19 outbreak in the state.”

  • Covid-19: UNFPA Donates PPEs And Other Items, Assured C’River Government Of UN Support

    Covid-19: UNFPA Donates PPEs And Other Items, Assured C’River Government Of UN Support

    By Elijah Ugani – Calabar

    As part of the efforts and measures to combat the global pandemic, the United nation Population Fund Agency UNFPA, has donated Personal Protective Equipments PPEs including face masks, hand gloves, sanitizers and hand washing buckets with stands to the cross river state government to aid in the protection of health workers against any possible outbreak of Covid-19 in the course of performing their duties.

    The presentation was made by the Head of Calabar Sub Office, Mr. Kenneth Ehouzuo who commended the proactive preventive measures taken by the state government to contend the outbreak of Covid-19 in the state, however charged the state to step up measures to ensure that lives of the citizens are more protected, safe and secure at this challenging period.

    Ehouzou maintained that “UNFPA will continue to support the Cross River State with technical support in the fight against this dreaded pandemic”

    Ehouzou used the opportunity to called on the citizens of the state and the world at large to always be conscious of protective measures as outlined by both government and World Health Organization, so that collectively, the pandemic will be nipped on the bud.

    Receiving the equipments on behalf of the state government, the Commissioner for International Development Cooperation, Dr. Inyang Asibong, thanked UNFPA for its continuous support to the state government under the leadership of Sir Ben Ayade.

    Dr. Asibong, used the opportunity to extend the readiness and disposition of the cross river state government to leverage on the technical, material and financial of UNFPA to better the state, pledged judicious use of the equipments provided to the health and wellbeing of it’s citizens.

    Recall that Dr. Asibong had served as Commissioner for Health in the last administration, has had the support of UNFPA in the development and implementation of most of the health programmes under her superintendent, some of which are, the ministry of health Operational Plan, the five years multi-operational plan for the Cross River State Primary Health Care Development Agency among others.

    The United Nation Population Fund Agency UNFPA, has the mandate to deliver a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every child born is safe and every young person’s potentials is fulfilled.

  • U.S Government Commissions Upgraded Cross River State Emergency Operation Center for COVID-19, Commends Cross River State

    U.S Government Commissions Upgraded Cross River State Emergency Operation Center for COVID-19, Commends Cross River State

    By Admin

    The United State Government on Tuesday through her Ambassador Mary Beth Leonard joined the cross river state Governor, Sir Ben Ayade to virtually commission an upgraded Emergency Operations Center (EOC) for Cross River State, which has been equipped with support of the American people to track and control the spread of the deadly COVID-19.

    Cross River is the first of the nine states to receive the EOC upgrade. The commissioned EOC comes with a new call center. The EOC is coordinating the Statewide public health response to the COVID-19 outbreak and other diseases of public health concerns.

    Commissioning the Centre virtually, United State Ambassador to Nigeria, Mary Beth Leonard commended the state government on several measures been instituted to curtail the spread of the disease and protect the health of Cross Riverians.

    She said the upgraded centers are now equipped as operational digital situation and communication rooms that powers and coordinate the state COVID response and other disease outbreaks, utilizing data integration, warehousing, and visualization to provide state officials transparent and real-time information on COVID-19.

    Her words “With the commissioning of these EOCs, Nigeria can better coordinate the COVID-19 outbreak response and surveillance activities, as well as any other emergent disease outbreaks or disasters, which will help to turn the tide of the pandemic within their state, ultimately the nation, and flatten the COVID-19 curve.”

    Speaking virtual from the Governor’s Office in Calabar, Cross River State Deputy Governor, Prof Ivara Ejemot Esu said “Though Cross River continues to have no documented cases, we need to be on our guard to do even more to ensure the COVID-19 pandemic is brought to a speedy end or controlled to the best of our ability in Nigeria.

    “We want seize this opportunity to continually invite USAID to come to cross river and strengthen our health system. We really appreciate this support”.

    The DG NCDC Dr Chikwe Ihekwazu, thanked The US Government for the support and pledged continued support to Cross River state who he said must be at the drivers seat and take full responsibility for the health of its people. He commended the state and asked for sustainability of the Upgraded EOC.

    On her part, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Betta Edu who was Physically present at the EOC, thanked the US government for the support, and held that the state is working closely with NCDC through the deployment of national Rapid Response Teams (RRTs) to support response activities in the state.

    Edu maintained that the EOC has a situation room and a call centre where staff are on 24 hours standby to receive calls from the public and track data/ information on COVID19.

    She thanked the US Government for their intervention stating that Cross River State will appreciate more support to strengthen the health system to address not just COVID-19 but any other outbreak in future.

    Edu stated that “the emergency operations center will serve as a central point of contact for public health activities and data collection including tracking of suspected cases in a consistent manner with up-to-date information shared among federal, state and local partners as well as with the public”

    Dr. Douglas Chukwu, Cross River State team lead for USAID partner Jhpiego, conducted a virtual tour of the new Emergency Operations Center for U.S. Ambassador Mary Beth Leonard and Cross River Deputy Governor Ivara Esu, DG NCDC and the Commissioner for Health.

  • Covid 19: Igbo Community In Cross River Sends A High Profile Volunteer Medical Team To Government

    Covid 19: Igbo Community In Cross River Sends A High Profile Volunteer Medical Team To Government

     

    By Elijah Ugani – Calabar

    The Igbo Community in Cross River State has offered to volunteer in the ongoing faith against the dreaded pandemic covid 19 in line with the state governors call for spirited individuals and organizations to join in the fight against the pandemic.

    In a release made available to TheLumineNews and signed by the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Ayade on Non Indigenes Affairs who doubles as the President of Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo, Cross River State, Barr. Ugoji NWabueze indicates calls on the public to remember the team in prayers as they offer selfless service to the state.

    The release reads in parts “In response to His Excellency request for more volunteers from spirited individuals and groups to assist in the implementation and enforcement of state Government’s Action Plan on COVID-19, IGBO in Cross River State through the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Non Indegenes Affairs and President of Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo Cross River State, Barr Ugoji Nwabueze has forwarded a list containing some of it’s best hands in Medical Practice, research and health management, as a volunteer team to his Excellency Senator Prof Ben Ayade, Governor of Cross River State.

    “The team has the mandate to assist the State Government to sustain it’s current enviable National position of Covid-19 free status”

    The volunteers are:

    (1) Prof. C. Iroegbu (Virology & Genetic Ecology)

    (2) Prof. E. Uttah (Parasitology & Environmental Biology)

    (3) Prof A.O.Emeribe ( Harmatology & United Nations Rep)

    (4) Prof. N. Osuchukwu (Community Health)

    (5) Prof A.A.Alaribe ( Parasitology)

    (6) Dr Felix Akubuenyi( Environmental Microbiology)

    (7) Dr Mrs E Osuchukwu (PhD Nursing Science)

    (8) HRM Igwe, Dr E. Ilounu. CMD: Madonna Specialist Hospital, 59 Murray St, Calabar.

    (9) Nze Dr E. Odurukwe, CMD: Melrose Hospital, Ikom.

    (10) Dr S.Ezigbo, CMD: Santa Maria Hospital, Ogoja.

    (11) C.Chinedu (Med Lab Sc).

    (12) Chigoziri Samuel (Nurse).

    (13) Abigail Christian, (Environmental Microbiology)

    (14) Ugoji Nwabueze (Development Media)

    Kindly reflect them in your prayers as they volunteer to offer selfless services to the State.

  • Cross River Dismisses Bauchi Governor’s Claim, Insists The State Is Covid 19 Free

    Cross River Dismisses Bauchi Governor’s Claim, Insists The State Is Covid 19 Free

    The Cross River State Government has dismissed the claim by the Bauchi State Governor Bala Muhammed that 15 coronavirus (COVID-19) cases recently came from Calabar, the state capital, to his state.

    Briefing newsmen  in Calabar, the Commissioner for Health and Chairman of the State COVID-19 Respond Team, Dr. Beta Edu, denied such claims, insisting that there is no coronavirus in Cross River State.

    Her words “We want to make it very clear that the 15 said persons have nothing whatsoever to do with Cross River State. We don’t know how Bauchi came to that conclusion, because our borders have been closed for months now.”

    Edu maintained thatthe distance between Cross River and Bauchi states is far and one would have to pass through many states, which are already heavily infected, before reaching Bauch and wonder the possibility of contracting the virus through those states.

    Edu averred that “the state government had taken proactive steps on time to checkmate COVID-19 spread since January and the state shut its borders and made wearing of face masks mandatory and those measures explained why the state was yet to record any COVID-19 case so far”

    She expressed the determination of the state government to support the government and people of Bauchi State with facemasks, shields and Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) to check the upsurge of COVID-19 cases, adding, however: “We understand the pressure, pains and stress our brother, the Governor of Bauchi State, is passing through.

    “Cross River State stands with Bauchi State at this trying moment. It is not easy to have the highest number of confirmed cases in the whole of northeast of Nigeria, especially as it is leading the population of people that are probably not following the preventive measure reeled out by government.

    “At this point, we stand with the governor and people of Bauchi State. The governor of Cross River State is offering a hand of fellowship to Bauchi and all other states battling hard to contain the coronavirus.

    “To those who wish to accept this gesture, we would support you with face masks; we will support you with face shield and PPE, which are being produced in Cross River State.”

    She disclosed that Cross River State had tested 36 cases and conducted 530 screening so far since the pandemic started and they have all returned negative and the state government was still expecting support from the federal government, as it continues the fight to keep the state COVID-19 free.

    Officials of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) had visited the state last month on a fact-finding mission and promised to create test centres at University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH) and the Lawrence Henshaw Memorial Hospital (former Intensive Disease Hospital) in Calabar to enable more and massive testing, but so far, that has not been done.