The Lumine News

Category: Health

  • C’River Flags off Training Workshop On Integrated Service Delivery, As State Benefit From Global Fund RSSH Project

    C’River Flags off Training Workshop On Integrated Service Delivery, As State Benefit From Global Fund RSSH Project

    By Simon Ushie

    Enabling Resource allocation matched with competent manpower is said to guarantee efficiency and productivity especially in the health sector, an analogy that calls for effective partnership between states, the Federal Government and well endowed partners as Nigeria seek to attain Universal Health Coverage status in the nearest future.

    Among these decisive moves is the collaboration between the Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency and the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency to train health workers in the advance management of Reproductive, maternal, neonatal, child , adolescent, elderly Health and nutrition program across the 18 Local Government Areas of the state.

    Flagging off the training exercise in Calabar on behalf of His Excellency, the Governor of Cross River State, Senator Professor Ben Ayade, the Director General of the Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr Janet Ekpenyong encouraged the participants to remain committed and focused to the course of learning in order to be abreast with the new development.

    She said the essence of the training was to build capacity of health workers to ensure quality service delivery. She said as Federal Government and state government work hand in hand to bridge the gap of limited human resource through the basic health care programme and employment into service respectively, it is pertinent that health workers are trained and retrained to ensure optimal service delivery which will encourage patronage in their facilities to complement efforts of the Community health influencers and Promoters (CHIPS) agents who will be engaged in influencing and mobilizing people to patronize facilities.

    She highlighted some of the challenges faced in the primary health sector which requires urgent attention to include the high rate of maternal and child mortality, inadequate human resources and adoption of modern Health techniques which she said the training is set to address.

    She appreciated Global fund and NPHCDA for choosing Cross River State among the first 3 states in the federation for the pilot phase of the high impact Resilient Sustainable System for health(RSSH) project which will help tackle lapses in the Primary Healthcare facilities especially in the rural areas.

    Speaking earlier, the Permanent Secretary of the Cross River State Ministry of Health, Dr Iwara Iwara lauded Global fund for the support and for choosing Cross River State to ne one of the beneficiaries while also charging the participants to take the training serious and help support the state to mitigate the high rate of maternal and infant mortality by ensuring to disseminate appropriate information to health workers at the various facilities and reiterated Cross River State Government’s commitment to ensure only qualified health personnel will be absorbed into the service.

    The Integrated service delivery focal person from the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr Musa said the NPHCDA is one of the subrecipient of the global fund project and one of the major benefits of the project is to train health workers to provide quality integrated health services to clients to ensure we reduce cases of low patronage of health facilities as well as mortality of mother and child.

    The Program which is sponsored by the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency through the support of the Global Funds Resilient Sustainable System for health will facilitate the high impact advance knowledge, train and produce at least 40 state level trainers on integrated sercice delivery to serve the state

    It will further build the capacity of at least 150 PHC service providers on the ward minimum Healthcare package using the integrated training documents developed to suit Cross River’s work pattern, program management, sensitization and mobilization for high impact program scheme.

    The training was facilitated by well knowledgeable instructors who have designed different frame works for the advancement of Primary Healthcare activities in the country and participants are to disseminate same knowledge at ward, Community and facility level.

    Also present at the event were, Mr Julius Idoko of NPHCDA, Comrade Bassey, Chairman community health workers union, representative of the chairman of National Association of Nurses and Midwives, the Director Community and family health, Mrs Sally Enyim, the state social mobilization Officer, Mrs Nsa Ekpenyong amongst others.

  • BHCPF: PHCs Receives Laptops, Consumables As CRSG Commits To Quality Health Service Delivery

    BHCPF: PHCs Receives Laptops, Consumables As CRSG Commits To Quality Health Service Delivery

    By Simon Ushie

    In a bid to accelerate universal health coverage and strengthen Information Communication and Technological services in both remote and metropolitan facilities, the Cross River State Health Insurance Agency and its primary health care counterpart have supplied computer sets, medical consumables and other essential materials to over 100 primary healthcare facilities in the state.

    The items were donated as part of deliverables from both health insurance and primary Healthcare financing gateways which are the two gateways adopted by Federal government through the basic health care scheme to improve healthcare access, especially to low and zero income earners.

    At the presentation ceremony, the Director General, Cross River State Health Insurance Agency, Dr. Godwin Iyala described the presentation of the items as part of the cardinal intervention of the state Health Insurance Scheme towards scaling up healthcare services at health facilities in Cross River State.

    Iyala also added that a major increase in financial resources for health is needed to scale up health interventions and strengthen health delivery systems to ensure that these interventions are accessible, particularly for the poor, adding that Health insurance scheme holds the promise of ensuring a guaranteed pool of funds for health, improving the efficiency of management of health resources and protecting people against catastrophic health expenditure.

    While appreciating the CRSHIA for the items, the Director General, Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr. Janet Ekpenyong stated that as part of ways to resolve some of the issues faced by ward focal persons, the agency organized an integrated meeting to afford them the opportunity to listen to their challenges at their various facilities and try to breach such gaps.

    “Usually as an agency, we always try as much as possible to have quarterly meetings with our ward focal persons. It is always an opportunity to review Primary Healthcare (PHC) services and other new things coming up. For this particular meeting, we decided to have an integrated meeting with the State Health Insurance Agency because of the Basic Healthcare Implementation that has also commenced. We also have the measles campaign coming up. We try to engage the ward focal persons before such implementation to help achieve 100% coverage we are thriving for.”

    “Since the commencement of Basic Healthcare, part of the services the health insurance will be providing is to strengthen ICT components because registration of clients and other ICT-related components is key in our PHCs. Most of the facilities today were given laptops which is to help strengthen ICT services in the facility. The meeting also affords us the opportunity to listen to their challenges at their various facilities and try to breach such gaps.”

    Speaking on the unnecessary charges from the health workers to pregnant women, Ekpenyong mentioned that the agency has received complaints of how health workers over-charge pregnant women, leaving them with the option of visiting Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs), adding that the affected health workers will be penalized.

    “Unfortunately, we received some complaints that some health workers in their facilities have been overcharging pregnant women and other facility users. We frown at such acts because that would discourage people from accessing the facility. We are looking for ways to encourage pregnant women to patronize our facilities rather than go to Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs). This kind of thing, we totally condemn it and we are going to ensure that the affected health workers are penalized.”

    She also stated that 130 facilities have been accredited by the Health Insurance Scheme, hoping that in no time the 196 facilities in the state will be accredited.

    “Right now the Health Insurance Scheme (HIS) has accredited over 130 facilities that have received capitation from health insurance gateway, but we are hoping that 196 facilities will be accredited so that all facilities can enjoy capitation as well as funding from the primary health care gateway. So far, 70 (seventy) laptops have been given to facilities and today 50 have been given to other facilities.”

    “As the HIS concludes on the installation of the software and other things that are needed to be done, more facilities will get the laptops.” She added.
    The Special Adviser to the Governor on Health , Dr David Ushie also outlined some of the expectations of the state government while also responding to some of the challenges faced by the ward focal persons in their various facilities as it concerns registration and other issues.
    The event was also attended by directors and other staff of both agencies.

    Since the commencement of the Basic Health Care Provision Fund Program in the state, over 10,000 enrollees have made themselves available for registration with a bulk of the figure already enjoying zero charged services across the 196 accredited facilities.

  • Linda Ayade Flags Off Activities To Mark 2022 World Sight Day, Calls For Proper Attention To The Eyes

    Linda Ayade Flags Off Activities To Mark 2022 World Sight Day, Calls For Proper Attention To The Eyes

     

    The wife of the Governor of Cross River State, Dr Linda Ayade has called on Cross Riverians to pay attention to their eyes, as the state joins the global community to mark the 2022 World Sight Day celebration, which is marked on every second Thursday of the month in October with this year’s event falling on the 13th of October 2022.

    With an encouraging theme to “Love your eyes”, Dr Linda Ayade counselled that Cross Riverians need to eliminate every risks that can cause both temporary or permanent damages to their eyes which is the frame way to the body and the world.

    Flagging off the occasion of the World Sight Day in Calabar, the Cross River State Capital, the Wife of the Governor of Cross River State, Dr Linda Ayade who was represented by rhe Director General of the Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr Janet Ekpenyong called for priority be given to the eyes just like mental, gynaecological, cardiac and other major organs are treated with priority.

    According to Dr Linda Ayade, the timeliness of this year’s theme cannot be over emphasized as more people are loosing their sights daily due to negligence and preventable causes.

    She said, the common eye challenges seen amongst Cross Riverians include Cataract, glachoma, refractive errors and retinopathy due to diseases such as Diabetes, Hypertension and and some personal choice lifestyles which have been attributed to the rising causes of blindness across the globe, either partial or total as recorded by the World health Organization, and it is on the basis of rescuing the challenging eye health indices and alarming figure, that the Cross River State Government established the state eye care programme in Calabar with some other extension services at the grassroot to check common eyes defects and offer referral services when need arises.

    She said the state government will continue to promote eye care services especially in the rural areas through community outreaches and proper referral as she acknowledged partners such as the Mediatrix Development foundation who have supported the state in reaching out to the aged in many rural Communities.

    In her welcome address, the Director of the Cross River State Eye care programme Dr Luna Said, judging by global indices of having close to 300 million people suffering from various eyes defects, over 90% are avoidable and treatable hence the need to foster awareness on the common preventive approaches to blindness.

    She said the Cross River State Eye Care programme has offered thousands of corrective surgeries since it’s establishment with little or no cost to the patient, an act she said is phenomenal for the eradication of blindness and commendable to the Government.

    In his response, Permanent Secretary of the Cross River State Ministry of Health, Dr Iwara Iwara called for a routine eye check for every individual to check for abnormalities before it amounts into complications.

    He said the ministry will partner with the Primary Healthcare Agency to ensure that, mush referrals are sent to Calabar for surgical procedures and advises.

    The event gave oppurtunity for hundreds of people to check their eyes for any form of eyes defects and advice on the possible ways of keeping the eyes healthier.
    Tge event also featured goodwill messages from the Director of Administration SMOH, Barr John Odu and other staff of the state eye program.

  • House Committee on Health Commends PHC Boss, Pledges Support To Strengthen State Health System

    House Committee on Health Commends PHC Boss, Pledges Support To Strengthen State Health System

     

    The Director General of the Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr Janet Ekpenyong has been commended for her hardwork in the health sector by the Chairman House Committee on Health, Hon Dr Davies Etta, while seeking to collaborate with the Agency to enhance the quality of healthcare services in the state through the formation of policies and laws to meet globally competing and acceptable values.

    The Chairman, Hon Dr Etta made the disclosure during a familiarisation visit to the Agency in Calabar to intimate the DG and her team of the new Committee members and the preparedness of the House to enhance legislation which will complement the efforts of the executives .

    According to Dr Etta, the move will further help in salvaging some challenges faced in the state such as allocation and releases of budgets to the sector, turn out of eligible children during routine immunization, employment of health workers to mitigate the existing gap, intimidation of health workers among others.

    In her response, DG, CRSPHCDA, Dr Janet Ekpenyong appreciated the house for their partnership with the executive which has further framed the state and remodelled it’s approaches in recent years.

    She said, the harmonious relationship being envisaged will ascertain the pole position being held by the state on all health implementablepolicies of state, national and global policies geared towards a healthy society.

    Dr Ekpenyong urged the House to help in facilitating the enactment of the Immunization bill which will compel parents and schools to compulsorily present immunization cards before Ward’s admission into schools.

    She said the move will help in reaching the optimal immunization target per LGA and state’s routine target which has remained a challenge in some local government areas in the state.
    She also appealed for their support to fastrack the ascent of the bill on the regulation of Traditional birth attendant (TBA) activities as well as other bills that will further strengthen the Agency.
    Also speaking, the permanent secretary of the Agency thanked the chairman and other committee members, while also appealing for a further review of the law of the Agency.
    Also in the entourage was the member representing Akpabuyo constituency, Dr Ekeng Edet , the secretary of the committee, Mr Kingsley and others.

  • Ayade Care: C’River State Govt Distributes Drugs And Other Medical Commodities, As BHPF Programme Records Success

    Ayade Care: C’River State Govt Distributes Drugs And Other Medical Commodities, As BHPF Programme Records Success

     

    There’s huge success in the recently implemented AyadeCare/Basic Health Care Provision Fund Program and the state’s social health care scheme across board as the Cross River State Government has commenced the distribution of Drugs and other medical commodities to benefiting facilities across the state.

    The Distribution which was led by the Director General of the Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr Janet Ekpenyong and her team had various facility heads in the southern Senatorial District of the state present and also the team visiting facilities to drop the commodities.

    Speaking at the site of distribution, the DG who was represented by the Focal Person of the Basic Health Care Provision Fund, Mrs Ekaette Ekpenyong warned the benefiting facilities to avoid issues of misappropriation and hoarding of drugs , noting that , it is punishable and those found wanting will be penalized.

    She said, the drugs which were made available by both the state and federal government will help meet the basic health needs of clients in communities as well as boost the confidence of the people in the patronage of primary health care facilities.

    She encouraged the benefiting facilities and their staff to be of good conduct noting that , regular interactions with members of the Community through health talk, awareness and sensitization will help in promoting good, quality and desirable health .

    The basic health Care Provision Fund and the State’s Social Health Scheme, “Ayade Care” are innovations of both the state and federal government with 1% of the nation’s consolidated revenue earmarked for equiping, renovation, staffing and standardization of primary Healthcare facilities across the country. The Ayadecare also requires a N1,000 contribution which allows Cross Riverians access to quality health care Whenever they need it.

    The Ayadecare program is aimed at benefiting the old, children under 5, vulnerable and all who are resident in Cross River as they are granted access to free and unquantifiable healthcare to avoid “out of pocket expenditures”.
    Those registered under the Basic Health Care programme only need to visit the facility where they registered with their cards and they will have access to free health care services.

  • Linda Ayade Calls For Continued Prioritization Of Nutrition In Cross River State

    Linda Ayade Calls For Continued Prioritization Of Nutrition In Cross River State

    By Margaret Asikong MOI Officer 

    Wife of Cross River State Governor, Dr. (Mrs.) Linda Ayade has called on all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), as well as partners to come together and increase awareness geared towards the prioritization of nutrition, while fostering collaborations that will mobilize resources to help tackle malnutrition in the state.

    Dr. Ayade made the call recently at the Diamond Ball Room, Transcorp Hotel, Calabar during a one day high level engagement meeting and policy dialogue with key stake holders on investment in maternal, infant, young child and adolescent nutrition in Cross River State, which was organized by United Nation International Children Emergency Fund (UNICEF), in collaboration with CRS Planning Commission and State Committee on Food and Nutrition.

    Dr. Ayade who was represented by the Vice Chairman, Bakassi LGA and President of Cross River Women Emancipation Initiative (CROWEI), Eti-Eka (Mrs) Lawrencia Ita, said that the theme for the event which is Harnessing optimal Developmental Potentials of Cross River Children and adolescents through investment in Maternal, Infant, Young Child and Adolescent Nutrition, is very apt as people all over the world are suffering from various forms of malnutrition such as; life-threatening hunger, micronutrient deficiencies, low calories intake and obesity, with over 45% of under-five mortality as a result of malnutrition.

    She stated that another measure of chronic malnutrition which is of huge concern in the state is stunting, adding that 1 out of every 5 (189,160) children under five years in CRS is stunted (shorter than the expected height for their age), while only 24% initiate breastfeeding within one hour of birth.
    She maintained that the urgency for nutrition improvement is a necessity for sustainable development and that it is pertinent for states to promote, as well as sustain investments that will address the drivers of malnutrition, especially inappropriate feeding practices, poor stewardship and policy implementation.

    She further stated that the state has over the years employed measures to address issues of malnutrition, food insecurity and poverty such as; the inauguration of the State Council of Nutrition (SCN), which is in line with National Policy on Food and Nutrition; implementation of high impact interventions and programmes like; maternal newborn and child week, breast feeding week, agricultural/food programme, women empowerment and other nutrition focused programmes across the state, as well as ensuring free health care services to pregnant women and children under five through the Ayade care scheme, amongst others.

    Dr. Ayade opined that through the office of the wife of the Governor and SCN, they are committed to promote the public private partnership in nutrition which will galvanize resources to empower women, improve nutrition, amongst others.
    She used the occasion to express thanks to UNICEF, State House of Assembly, SCN, Ministries and Agencies for their support in improving nutrition in the state.

    In his welcome remarks, the SPC Chief Economic Adviser to the Governor on Economic Planning and Vice Chairman Dr. Francis Ntamu expressed appreciation to all present especially the speaker, CRSHA, RT Hon. Eteng Williams, House Committee Chairman, Executive members, key stakeholders, Unicef and other partners for finding time to be part of the event and for all their support . According to him, the focus of the State Government is on human capital development and is glad that the gathering will give them the opportunity to review necessary procedures, actions and strategies ranging from polices that can activate result with specific regard to maternal, infant and young children as it relates to nutrition, amongst others.

    In her remarks, the Chief of Field Office, UNICEF, Enugu, Mrs. Juliet Chiluwe-Chilemba used the occasion to thank all the participants present as well as the state government for the effective collaboration with UNICEF in organizing the meeting, which according to her, reflects the commitment of the state government and partners to ensuring that the maternal and nutrition health of mothers/children in CRS is achieved, adding that UNICEF is committed to partnering with CRS, as well as other relevant partners and stakeholders in achieving the global development agenda.

    Also speaking, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Women Affairs, Surv. Dr. Gertrude Nnanjar Njar, thanked UNICEF for their unrelenting and continuous multi-sectorial technical and financial support over time, especially as it concerns children and other vulnerable groups in CRS, while also expressing thanks to other donor partners and stakeholders for their support and good works towards attaining sustainable development and growth, adding that the importance of nutrition for all categories of persons cannot be over emphasized especially for infants and young children.

    In the same vein, the Director-General, CRS Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr. Janet Ekpenyong, said that they will continue to do their best to ensure that children have access to micro nutrients that will help them come out of malnutrition and that integration of nutrition is their watchword in all their programmes, for they will continue to strongly advocate for investment in maternal, infant, young child and adolescent nutrition amongst others.

    Highlights at the event included; goodwill messages from the Speaker, CRSHA, representative of the Chief Judge of CRS, members of the State Executive Council and Partners, panel discussion/policy dialogue, group photographs, amongst others.

  • Linda Ayade Flags Off Health Symposium, Seek To End Malnutrition Scourge In Cross River State

    Linda Ayade Flags Off Health Symposium, Seek To End Malnutrition Scourge In Cross River State

     

    According to global indices, over 2 million children under the ages of 5 are currently suffering from “Severe Acute Malnutrition” with only a privileged 2 out of every 10 opportuned to be receiving treatment for this life threatening situation.

    malnutrition continue to be a major cause of death and ill health, as it contributes to over 45% of under-five mortality. Another measure of chronic malnutrition which is of great concern is stunting. It is indeed a huge concern that in Cross River State 1 out of every 5 (189,160) children under-five years in the State is stunted (shorter than the expected height for their age), while only 24% initiate breastfeeding within one hour of birth.

    With this said figures, Nigeria is said to account for the second highest prevalence rate of children with stunted growth globally with a further scary projection of a worsen figure if authorities don’t develop formidable policies to address this issue.

    On a benchmark of accurately reducing malnutrition and delibrately exonerating Cross River State from adding to the nation’s Scarry figures, Government agencies, the private sector and some agencies of the united nations have met in Calabar, the Cross River State capital to buy into the newly developed policy framework seeking more actions against Malnutrition among infants and young children in the state.

    The Cross River State Planning Commission on food and nutrition in conjunction with United Nation System and United Nation’s International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) has formally charted a formidable avenue on investment in Maternal, Infant and Young Child Nutrition in the State.

    Wife of the state Governor, Dr. Linda Ayade while declaring the symposium open said Malnutrition has been a challenge to the health of many especially the vulnerable in the society.

    Dr Ayade who was represented by Hon Mrs Lawrencia Ita said , the need to invest resources in the fight against malnutrition cannot be over emphasized as she likened malnutrition to a pandemic which if not well managed, could affect the well being of the child.

    She also harped on the need to increase health sector and other ministries budget, while calling on the line MDAs to ensure nutrition is captured in their budget.

    She also implicated poverty as a major cause of malnutrition and highlighted some of the measures and innovations His Excellency, Senator Prof Ben Ayade has brought in, such as employment, empowerment of women and youth, among others.

    She further stated that tackling malnutrition is a collective effort as she called on the involvement of private sector.
    She reiterated Government’s commitment to tackle malnutrition, through various health interventions as well as investing in the health sector.

    In his remarks Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon.Eteng Williams assured the representatives of unifying partners of a robust cooperation and contribution between them and the State Legislative arm of Government , pointing out that the issue would be prominently captured in subsequent budgets .

    In an address, the Director-General, Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (CRSPHCDA), Dr. Janet Ekpenyong expressed optimism and excitement for the various roles played by key drivers in ensuring the actualization of the set goals.

    She acknowledged the danger faced by the vulnerable children, stressing that they deserve adequate attention in order to ensure a better future free from incessant life-threatening scourge even as she charged NGOs and MDAs not to only see the dialogue as a continuum but incorporate nutrition in their budget so as to inform futuristic relevance and safety.

    Dr. Ekpenyong who enumerated poverty, eating of unbalanced meals among others as the major causes attributable to malnutrition, noted that when stakeholders key into the State government’s policy on food and nutrition, the envisaged set goals, multiplier effect/benefits would be speedily achieved.

    She reiterated the state government commitment to tackle malnutrition by ensuring full implementation of the policy and health campaigns such as Maternal newborn and child Health week and other programmes to mitigate malnutrition issues.

    On her part, the Commissioner for International Development Cooperation, Dr Inyang Asibong disclosed that a child with an unbalanced diet is prone to stunted growth as such nutritional dieting remain the only panacea to a healthy life and Nation building.
    She lauded UNICEF for their support, describing it as worthwhile.

    In her reaction, the UNICEF Enugu field office , Ms Maria
    thanked all and sundry for a proper dialogue expressing confidence that the workshop would afford drivers and beneficiaries to harness the knowledge gain on their respective MDAS and NGOs.
    She pledged UNICEF unwavering support to the state while appealing for more investment to sustain the gains made.

    The Chief economic Adviser to the Governor, Mr Francis Ntamu, who was also the convener thanked Her Excellency, the Honourable speaker and other dignitaries for their commitment and promises to ensure full implementation of the state nutritional framework as it will guide our efforts towards ending malnutrition in the state.
    The event also featured panel discussions by dignitaries, Technocrats, the academia and top government functionaries including the deputy leader and chairman House Committee on education, Rt Hon Hillary Bisong, the chairman Committee on gender, Rt Hon Maria Akwaji, the perm secretary Smoh , Dr Iwara Iwara amongst others.

  • 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.

  • World Hepatitis Day: CRSG Partners SOGHIN And Lions Club To Mark Day With Street Awareness, Screening And Vaccination

    World Hepatitis Day: CRSG Partners SOGHIN And Lions Club To Mark Day With Street Awareness, Screening And Vaccination

    By Simon Ushie

    The Cross River State Government in collaboration with Society for Gastro Enterology and Hepatology in Nigeria and lions club International
    joined the global Community in marking this year’s, “World Hepatitis Day” across all 18 Local Government Areas of the state with street Awareness/road show
    Screening and Vaccination of citizens against the disease.

    In Calabar, the state capital, the procession was led by the Director General of the Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr Janet Ekpenyong who represented the wife of the state Governor, Dr Linda Ayade as she led the sensitization
    across adjoining streets in Calabar Municipal Council.

    Speaking to newsmen after the street awareness and campaign to enlighten the general populace of one of the World deadliest diseases, Dr Ekpenyong disclosed that, the prevalence of Hepatitis particularly Hepatitis Band C in the state,calls for intensified Sensitization and precautions in order to effectively manage it’s spread.

    She said, considering that the disease is highly infectious and a silent killer, it is important people have understanding of what Hepatitis is, it’s signs and symptoms as well as its mode of transmission which unprotected sexual activities, blood transfusion and sharing of sharp objects are the major means of getting infected with Hepatitis B and C virus.

    She noted that with this year’s theme : ” Bringing Hepatitis Care Closer to You”, the focus is now facility and community oriented as she promised that, the screening will now be done in as many facilities as possible to encourage people to voluntarily get themselves tested , vaccinated and treated as the case may be.

    ” We are encouraging all of our people to come and get tested for Hepatitis.
    The most common among us are the type B and C which affected over 70 million people in Africa in 2021 and over 20 million people in Nigeria according to the World Health Organization.
    With this year’s theme, ” Bringing Hepatitis Care Closer to You”, we are ensuring that, we get the necessary kits and attention to our various Healthcare centres within our respective Communities in order to encourage our people to voluntarily go into facilities for
    screening and Vaccination.
    We have mandated all of our personel to carry out screening for all pregnant women who come in for antenatal services just like the practice with HIV.
    For today’s activity, over 500 people will be screened and Vaccinated.
    We have also set up a special team to visit Boki Local Government Area which records the highest number of Hepatitis infection in the state, to ensure testing and Vaccination, we are ready to combat the virus and possibly put an end to Hepatitis related deaths”.
    However, we will appeal to federal government and international organizations to pay attention to Hepatitis by ensuring free access to testing as well as Vaccination, because currently, such services are not free.
    Also speaking, Dr Mbang Ada, a consultant Gastro Enterology and secretary of SOGHIN highlighted the common symptoms of the diseases ranging from fever, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, jaundice, weight loss etc. She also reiterated the need for pregnant women to be tested and those positive should ensure that their babies receive the special vaccine that will protect them against the disease. She also said SOGHIN is committed to supporting the state in ensuring that positive Hepatitis cases will be linked to where proper treatment will be instituted.
    She encouraged Cross Riverians not to wait for government, but should take the leap and get tested and vaccinated.

    On behalf of the Lions club International, Lion Olanikpekun also committed to supporting the state government create awareness and encourage people to get tested and vaccinated.

    The president of medical women association, Cross River State, Dr Vivian Otu and other exco members were present at the event.

    Also present were Directors from State Ministry of Health and the state Primary Healthcare Development Agency.

    Hepatitis virus is a highly infectious disease, there are 5 major types A,B,C,D and E. A and D are usually linked to transmission via fecal oral route, contaminated water etc, while the common ones B and C are
    found in blood and certain body fluids. It is spread when a person who is not immune comes in contact with blood or body fluids from an infected person with it’s common causes including unprotected sexual activities with infected persons, fluid and blood contacts among others.
    Covid-19 vaccination and condom distribution were also integrated in the services provided.

  • Ayade Calls For Effective Data Management For Optimized Service Delivery In The Health Sector

    Ayade Calls For Effective Data Management For Optimized Service Delivery In The Health Sector

    By Simon Ushie

    The Cross River State Governor, Senator Ben Ayade has called for improved data management system in the health sector for optimized service delivery across the 18 Local Government Areas of the state and the country.

    Senator Ayade was speaking during the flag off ceremony of the Community Health Management Information System in Calabar, the Cross River State Capital aimed at strengthing synergy between the State and Federal Government.

    The Governor who was represented by the Director General of the Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr Janet Ekpenyong said, quality and precised data remains the bedrock of effective policy planning and implementation.

    She said, the government of Cross River State have over the years leveraged on optimized data collection and synchronization using home grown principles which are relative to various Communities with best standard practices being upheld.

    According to Dr Ekpenyong ” if we must have a working and formidable program and policies, we must ensure we generate quality and reliable data by taking advantage of programs like the Community Health Intervention Program (CHIPs), Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) which are designed to bridge health services delivery gaps and approaches at the grassroot, by creating demand for available health services at the health centers.
    The CHIPS program is designed to ensure follow-up of pregnant women and children to access ANC services and immunization services respectively and other available services in the nearest facilities”.

    The New comprehensive community health management information system (CHMIS) tool will help generate quality, timely and reliable data that will reveal gaps and where the state is doing well that will further inform decision and needed intervention.

    She further maintained that quality data collated from communities will help address various challenges in the health sector while also appreciating the state governor for his selfless disposition towards the implementation of health policies and the improvement of healthcare delivery in the state. She also thanked the federal government for acknowledging that there are gaps in the current HMIS tools and for providing solution to tackle the gaps. She also appreciated them for picking Cross River State as one of the states to pilot the tool.
    She encouraged those to be trained on the new tools to pay attention and be very involved as they will cascade all information and knowledge acquired to those in their LGAs.

    In his response, the Honourable Minister of Health represented by Mrs Osindeinde Ademilayo, intimated that accurate data will bring to awareness various challenges faced by states and specific programs thereby helping in managing problems.
    She reiterated Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening the health system of the country by applying a bottom up approach.

    In his remark, a consultant in the Federal Ministry of Health on Community Health Management Information System, Dr Nathaniel Afolabi disclosed that, the Ministry will partner with the state government in training Facilitators on quality data collection and implementation processes for basic programs in the state.

    He said, with collaborations with UNICEF , the Ministry will undergo preliminary training in three selected Local Government Areas namely, Boki, Odukpani and Obudu on Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in preparation for field exercise for selected diseases and outbreaks.

    “The aims and roles of CHMIS is to provide data for informed Community decision making, as well as promote community ownership of health intervention and help monitor progress. It is aimed at encouraging pregnant women on the importance of Antenatal care to eradicate maternal mortality and other common diseases around us”.

    He further added that the Scheme will help incorporate data in Communities and bring them up among Community workers which are more reliable, with tendency towards improving efficiency for effective decision making.

    Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Cross River State, Dr Iwara Iwara, stated that tools are to be used at the community level noting that Participants are to be trained because without adequate data from the source, there will be no accurate data at the State level; therefore urging everyone to maintain attentiveness so as to arrive at appropriate and accurate data and to cascade the knowledge gain to the community.

    A Representative of UNICEF, Dr Olusoji Akinleye emphasized the importance of quality data as a tool for advocacy and decision making, encouraging the participants to prioritize the training as it will help the state achieve reliable data.

    Also present were members from Federal Ministry of Health, Cross River State Ministry of Health,, Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency and Dr Fatima of UNICEF who immensely contributed their quota for the success of the programme.
    High point of the event was the official Flag-off of the training by His Excellency, Sen Prof Ben Ayade ably represented by the Director General, Dr Janet Ekpenyong.

    Globally, Data is said to be the focal agent of change, planning, development in every field of endeavor comprising of selective methods including processes of Data Collected, Data reporting, data analysis and implementation. The pilot will be in three LGAs as plans are in the way for scale up to other LGAS in the state.