The Lumine News

Category: Health

  • USAID Commends CRSG As Health Partners Seeks Approaches Towards Equitable Distribution Of Vaccines Across The State

    USAID Commends CRSG As Health Partners Seeks Approaches Towards Equitable Distribution Of Vaccines Across The State

    By Simon Ushie

    As part of approaches aimed at ensuring effective and efficient health service delivery in the State, Health Care Partners are seeking collaborations with the State Primary Healthcare Development Agency for equitable vaccines distributions.

    United States Agency for International Development (USAID) teamlead, Dr Abujo Kalajuo made the disclosure in Calabar, during a courtesy visit to the Director General of the Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr Janet Ekpenyong noting that, such intervention will put an end to vaccine hesitancy and stock out in the state.

    He said, building an effective supply and distribution chain in Local Government Areas will promote prompt and timely access to various vaccines and present them to Cross Riverians in their most active states.

    He further maintained that, all Health care Partners ought to collaborate with willing government agencies and States to ensure that a deliberate mechanism in implemented for all facilities to be covered as he commended His Excellency, Sen Prof Ben Ayade for his investment in the health sector and ensuring vaccine equity in the state . He also applauded the state for being flexible and adjusting to partner’s demand for the benefit of the state.

    In her response, the Director General, Cross River State Primary Health Care Development Agency (CRSPHCDA), Dr. Janet Ekpenyong, felicitated with the group for their visit noting that the state is always willing and ready to partner with groups for the overall interest of the state and nation.

    Dr Ekpenyong disclosed that, the state boast of a standard and centralized Cold Chain facility in Calabar Metropolis where we ensure vaccines are stored in their most potent form.

    She noted that there are Zonal Cold chain facilities in Ikom to carter for those in the Central Senatorial District and Ogoja Store for those in the Northern District with Mini Cold Chain facilities in all 18 Local Government Areas of the state, which are well managed and maintained.

    She therefore requested the group support towards vaccines carriers and refrigerators for baking ice packs to
    maintain vaccine potency all the way to the last mile adding that, with the epileptic power supply in the country, the state is faced with seeking more expensive alternatives to ensure viability of vaccines all year round.

    “As a state we are committed to vaccine safety, efficacy and equitable distribution, as we have our Cold chain well functional here in Calabar, and other zonal Cold chain stores for easy access by local government areas, we need the refrigerators to make sure our vaccines remain potent. She also informed the team on the plans of the state to integrate services and seeked their support to leverage on available community volunteers to serve as CHIPS Agents. She used the opportunity to intimate them on the recently launched the CHIPS program and the Basic Health Care Provision Fund programme. The CHIPS Agents will help us ensure we provide integrated services including OBR, OPV, HIV, Covid-19, etc and ensure there’s demand creation for facility utilization, especially for women during pregnancy and delivery.
    Some of our major challenges are issues of data collection after vaccination, we
    seek assistance in the areas of data reconciliation, health workers and volunteers training, ultra cold chain equipment installation to manage the quantity and quality of vaccines”.
    She also requested for USAID to support the state with HiV testing kits as alot of pregnant women are not tested when they visit facilities for ANC. She said the state has made progress in the fight against HIV/AIDs and it will be important to sustain the gains.

    Another respondent from the USAID team, Mr. Obianeri Victor (PMS – L & SC), acknowledged the Agency which has always been the first point of calls for health care service delivery and emergencies sequel to any diseases outbreak, as such, PHCs must be well equipped and vaccines put in place and stored properly properly.

    Also speaking, a Deputy Director oftheAgency and HIV/AIDs focal person Mrs. Ekaette Ekpenyong, on her part also seek for support in providing HIV testing kits and help pushing of vaccines to all LGAs especially in hard to reach areas.

    Mrs. Utiung, Nutrition focal person also added that nutritional supplement should be made available in all PHCs as it concerns orphan and vulnerable children and pregnant women as good nutrition leads to good health and growth.

    Also, in attendance were Director, Community and Family Health SPHCDA,Mrs Sally Enyim, programme officers and Implementing Partners like Heartland Alliance, FHI 360, Breakthrough Action, CCRN, and others who in their contributions added a plus to the way forward of the State Health sector.

  • C’River Takes The Lead, Commences Midwives Training For BHCPF Programme, As States And Fed Govt Seeks Measures To Curb Maternal And Child Mortality

    C’River Takes The Lead, Commences Midwives Training For BHCPF Programme, As States And Fed Govt Seeks Measures To Curb Maternal And Child Mortality

    By Simon Ushie

    The Cross River State Government in collaboration with the Federal Government through its Primary Healthcare Development Agencies are calling for decent and outright measures to effective Health Care service delivery to help reduce the rate of maternal and child mortality in Cross River State.

    The call was made during the flag off ceremony of the Training/ orientation for newly recruited midwives with the theme ” Reach Every Ward with Skilled Birth Attendants (REWSB)” as part of modalities towards the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund programme implementation in the state.

    The Director General, Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (CRSPHCDA), Dr. Janet Ekpenyong in an opening remarks, thanked the federal government for it’s contributions towards the actualization of the Basic Health Care Provision Fund programme in states adding that the scheme will boost adequate facility utilization especially in the rural areas.

    She maintained that the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund programme has played an important role in developing and strengthening of health facilities and at large the Primary Healthcare system by ensuring that health services are administered rightly and at it’s set pace.

    She also commended the state Governor, His Excellency, Sen. Prof. Ben Ayade for all his effort in pushing the health sector to the next level noting that he has placed a top priority on the Health sector which have really helped in strengthening the health care services in the State.

    “”Midwives play a huge role in creating demand for facility utilization, especially for pregnant women and children under 5. If you have a nurse and a midwife in a health facility, you are more confident that pregnant women are going to be receiving quality health services from a skilled birth attendant.”

    ” In our effort to ensure that we can reduce maternal and infant mortality, we believe that a skilled birth attendant should be in our health facilities and that is why His Excellency, Sen. Prof. Ben Ayade is committed to the actualization of this laudable initiative in Cross River State.”

    “We are also glad that Cross River State is the first state to implement this program in the country. This is actually a national policy and it is expected that every state will benefit from the basic healthcare fund. However, I will encourage everyone to buy in and let there be that political will that can give it the necessary push.”

    In his response, the representative of the ED, National Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr. Obasi gave an insight on the objectives of the training which he said is to ensure that Nurses and Midwives become well trained ,equipped with modern regiments of service .

    He said, the training will afford the beneficiaries the requisite details and offer them the capacity to disseminate same knowledge when rendering health care services; and to ensure seemless Birth delivery in Health facilities and not in Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs).

    He also advised the State should leverage on Basic Healthcare Provision Fund to improve the capacities of Midwives as training/orientation is strictly with a focus of having skilled Birth Attendants in the State Health Centres as he pledged full support for the program.

    The Chairman, House Committee on Health, Hon. Dr. Ekpo Ekpo Bassey, in his remarks, stated that having to train Midwives, it will help reduce the rate of maternal and child mortality rate, it will help safeguard the lives of pregnant women, noting that more funds must be pushed and set aside for the health sector.

    This training is very important because it has been the concern of the government to reduce maternal, neonatal, and childhood mortality in the country and Cross River State in particular. 512 women out of every 100,000 lives die as a result of pregnancy and childbirth, this is unacceptable anywhere in the world.

    Speaking on the challenges the training will help address, Mrs. Gertrude Usani, a retired Director of Nursing Services, Cross River State mentioned that the training is coming at the right time and that issues bothering on Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs), child and maternal mortality will be managed and well addressed.

    “The government has come in timely to select retired and well-experienced midwives to attend to the necessity on ground. What is happening now is that we are lacking a lot of skilled manpower in the health centers and grassroots areas”.
    ” So selecting us to go there and man the manpower that is there will help reduce the maternal and child mortality and morbidity rate in the state.”
    “One major issue we must address is the issue of TBAs. The TBAs most times bite more than they can chew. Some of them are experienced but we always tell them to refer to a higher cadre hospital when they identify complications. But they always try to sort things out by themselves till the cases are complicated beyond management, they now send it to the hospital.”
    Other contributions came in from the Permanent secretary SMOH represented by the DA Barr John Odu, Permanent secretary SPHCDA Barr Emmanuel Ekeh, Mrs Pauline Obute Director Nursing services, Secretary of the board, Barr Dan Effiom,
    Sally Enyim, Director Community and family Health, Mrs Ekaete Ekpenyong, BHCPF focal person, Dr Ojo of World Health Organization,Dr Daggy of MSF and other supportive partners who commended the state government for it’s pace in the adaptation of modern medical practices and it’s resultant effects on citizens.
    High point of the event was the official Flag-off by the Chairman House Committee on Health, Dr Ekpo Ekpo Bassey and the nurses pledge by the midwives who pledged to ensure best practices in their health facilities.

  • Cross River Marks World Malaria Day With A Call To Optimize Malaria Commodity Utilization In Communities

    Cross River Marks World Malaria Day With A Call To Optimize Malaria Commodity Utilization In Communities

     

    Another day to commemorate the World Malaria Day is here as Malaria amounts for millions of deaths in Nigeria as well as maternal and child mortality rate globally, hence the adoption of drastic measures to curtail these effects cannot be over emphasized.

    With this year’s theme given as ” Harness Innovation To Reduce The Malaria Disease Burden and Save Lives”, measures are being taken to optimize commodity utilization both for curative and preventive measures across health facilities in the state.

    In Cross River State, the state government embarked on a carnival like display across major streets in the metropolis to sensitize the people on the need to prevent malaria at all cost by complying to some adaptative measures while we await the introduction and commercialization of Malaria Vaccine.

    Wife of the state Governor, Dr Linda Ayade who declared the event opened said, the Government will continue to harness productive means through partnership with Non- Governmental Organizations to strengthen malaria intervention across the state.

    Dr Ayade who was represented by the Director General of the Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr Janet Ekpenyong said it was high time key players shift attention from some other diseases and focus on Malaria intervention which she said records the world’s highest mortality rate among pregnant women and under 5 children annually.

    “In this part of the world, we have commonized malaria but unfortunately Every second , a child dies from malaria and that is why , we must collectively take urgent steps to totally eradicate malaria in our society”.

    As a state , we have ensured that, all pregnant women who come for antenatal services are tested for malaria , treated nets given to them , and advise them on how to prevent malaria.

    Because of the perculiarity of the disease, Malaria has been absorbed into the State Health insurance scheme, by so doing, offer free services to pregnant women, children and others in the vulnerable cycle”.

    Dr Ekpenyong decried the massive abuse of Anti-malaria tablets noting that, except through the confirmation from a rapid diagnostic test and laboratory screenings, patients should desist from the purchase of Anti-malaria drugs over the counter without prescription, which according to her they may develop “Resistance” and leads to other medical complications.

    “Not all fevers are symptoms of malaria, it is advisable to first present yourself to a medical personnel who will advise that a test be carried out in relations to the symptoms presented.
    Except the result certifies the presence of malaria parasite, patients are advised to desist from taking Anti-malaria drugs because the resultant effect will be the development of Resistance against such drugs which might lead to some other medical complications”.

    She called on residents to end the timid practice of converting Insecticide Treated Nets into forming fence in their farmlands instead of using it to protect themselves and their loved ones from the Malaria Vector.

    She said, “we can’t continue to do things the old way and expect different results, our people are used to converting Insecticide Treated Nets into farm fences on their vegetable plots instead of using them at home.
    This has resulted into more damages as it exposes the crops to absorb unhealthy chemicals which may result to cancer cells formation”.

    Dr Ekpenyong further noted that, Government will continue to invest in the purchase of Anti-malaria tablets to ensure that, all facilities in the state boast of substantial quantities depending on the population density of the area.

    She appreciated the partners for their support both technical, material and other innovative formats which she said, has contributed to the immense awareness of people on the proper use of Insecticide Treated Nets as well as requesting for test before malaria drugs administration.
    She concluded by encouraging people to get vaccinated against Covid-19.

    Earlier in a welcome address, Chairman of Calabar South Local Government Area, Hon Mrs Esther Bassey commended the state government for provision of Anti-malaria tablets and other commodities to health facilities in her area council.

    She said, with collaborations with the council, health workers have reached out to all Communities in the area raising awareness on the dangers of malaria while also exposing them into healthy practices like , good personal hygiene, environmental sanitation as well as the use of Insecticide Treated Nets.

    She also donated Anti-malaria drugs and promised to continue to support the state government in provision of more commodities in order to attract clients to health facilities in the Area council.

    The Director Public Health, Dr Iwara Iwara reiterated Government’s commitment to ending malaria and Called on residents of the state to be more responsible by taking care of their environment and avoid self medication.

    Other speakers at the event were representatives of various Malaria support Partners who expressed satisfaction with the even distribution of Malaria commodities to Facilities, level of awareness created as well as the documentation of incidences in various Communities.

    They promised to support the state in it’s new innovation of prioritizing Prevention through constant sensitization and awareness creation, as they said, prevention remains the cheapest approach to health management.

    Benefiting members of the community also thanked the Government for their timely response as just as the raining season sets in.

    The DG was supported by the Chairman of Calabar South Local Government Area, Director of Local Government Health Authority, Calabar South, Mrs Eme Archibong, Directors from the state Ministry of Health, State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, development partners including Breakthrough Action, PMI for state, World Health Organization, FHI and other Government officials as they distributed Insecticide Treated Nets and Anti-malaria tablets after conducting Laboratory tests on interested individuals. Other services such as Covid19 Vaccination, nutrition and other services were integrated in the event.

  • C’River To Vaccinate 900,000 Children Against Wild Poliomyelitis Type 2, As Obol Lopon Of Ugep Flag-Off Campaign

    C’River To Vaccinate 900,000 Children Against Wild Poliomyelitis Type 2, As Obol Lopon Of Ugep Flag-Off Campaign

     

    Over 900,000 children between the ages of 0-59 months in Cross River State are set to be vaccinated against Poliomyelitis, one of the deadliest disease in the history of mankind as the Obol Opol of Ugep flagg of exercise in his palace at Yakurr Local Government Area of the state.

    For Dr Janet Ekpenyong Director General of the Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, it was not just an epoch making event but historic because according to her , “the role of the traditional rulers can never be over emphasized especially in delivering quality and productive Healthcare to citizens”.

    She employed parents and caregivers to protect the lives of the next generation by granting them the opportunity to get vaccinated within the stipulated time citing example with the Obol Opol who has often led in the mobilization of children within his Community for similar exercises.

    She said, immunization is a right of a child and the child should not be deprived. She also chipped that the state government with support from partner agencies have mapped out strategies to get all children vaccinated irrespective of weather conditions, topographical challenges as well as other surmountable barriers which hindered accessibility and 100% coverage in the time past.

    Dr Ekpenyong said, with the commitment of health workers with compelling voices from strategic leaders like the Traditional Rulers council, Religious leaders, Government functionaries, Youths and Women leaders, the state has remained Poliomyelitis free despite panicking figures from some states of the federation.

    According to her, with the devastating effects of the Disease to children within 0-59 months which includes economic, psychological and general well-being, all hands must be on deck for continuous and non stop advocacies and sensitization in churches, schools , markets and other places of public gathering .

    She appreciates the efforts of His Royal Majesty, the Obol Opol of Ugep in identifying with the health sector as his continuous advocacies has led to the advancement of the health sector in Yakurr Local Government Area as well as the state at large.

    “Today, we are officially flagging off the First round of the Outbreak Response on Poliomyelitis for our children between the ages of 0-59 months because they are the most vulnerable because of the level of their immunity.
    Because of the Outbreak of the type 2 Poliomyelitis, the Federal and state governments embarked on this response to ensure that child mortality rate is lowered as this disease has a ripple effect on the socio, economic and general well-being of affected families.

    So far in Cross River State, no record of Poliomyelitis 2 variant has been recorded, this is due to the collective efforts of all stakeholders including the traditional, religious and political leaders who are determined to see a healthier Cross River State”. The choice of flag off at the palace of the Obol Lopon is because the role of the traditional institution in the promotion of health activities cannot be over emphasized, and the Obol lopon has always been a voice and a champion of vaccination.

    The Obol Opol of Ugep, His Royal Majesty, Ofem Ubana Eteng and host of the event was excited that exercise of such magnitude is being decentralized to encourage participation and give a sense of belonging to all Communities in the state.

    He pledged his support towards raising awareness on the Outbreak Response on Poliomyelitis and other health interventions in order to compliment the efforts of the state government and health workers who work tirelessly for the outright elimination of all vaccine preventable diseases.

    On his part, the Director Public Health, State Ministry of Health, Dr Iwara Iwara, reiterated Government’s commitment to eradicating vaccine preventable diseases and encouraged the mothers to ensure their children are vaccinated as it is the responsibility of the parents to protect their children.

    The Director Disease Control and Immunization and state Immunization Officer applauded the Director General of the Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency for showing commitment in reaching out to all children across the state irrespective of where they are and emphasized in the importance of Immunization and asked care givers to use this opportunity to ensure their children get all the complete routine immunization .

    Other speakers who spoke include the representative of the World Health Organization Dr Pella of WHO, UNICEF National Primary Healthcare Development Agency, where they pledged their continued support to Cross River State Government and encouraged Mothers and caregivers to utilize this opportunity for good.

    Some parents who spoke testified to the commitment of health workers in their various Communities as they expressed their gratitude to the state government and it’s partners for introducing the high impact intervention.
    High point of the event was the oral adminstration of the Vaccine to children at the venue, Covid-19 vaccination for adults and the distribution of health packs to pregnant and nursing mothers.

    The exercise which began on the 9th of April is expected to officially climax on the 12th of April with two additional days for the sorting of missed children in the community as health workers are expected to move from house to House, schools, churches , markets places , some temporary post as well as permanent health facilities.

  • Sen Jarigbe’s Bill For The Establishment Of Federal Medical Centre, Ogoja, Transferred To The Senate For Concurrence

    Sen Jarigbe’s Bill For The Establishment Of Federal Medical Centre, Ogoja, Transferred To The Senate For Concurrence

     

    A bill for the establishment of Federal Medical Centre, Ogoja sponsored by Distinguished Senator Jarigbe Agom Jarigbe (then Rt. Hon.) was yesterday, transferred to the Nigerian Senate and read on the floor of the Senate by the Senate leader, Senator Yahaya Abdullahi.

    The bill (HB.276), haven undergone the first, second and third readings, followed by Public Hearing, is a principal bill from the Distinguished Senator who initiated it while he was a member of the House of Representatives before his elevation to the Nigerian Senate.

    The lawmaker reiterated the fact that, the bill became necessary following the health challenges, as well as the challenges of traveling a long distance to the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital for medical attention by constituents whose problems require urgency.

    He went further to highlight the importance and benefits of citing such a Federal establishment in the ancient city of Ogoja which happens to be the capital city of Cross River North Senatorial District.

    “This large health care facility will provide medical and surgical care for our people,who have become vulnerable to health challenges and solutions.”

    “It is also expected to be affiliated to a medical school and Academic medical center where our youths Can practice to become professionals”, Distinguished Senator Jarigbe Agom added.

  • Linda Ayade Takes Medical Outreach To Itigidi, Abi Local Government Area

    Linda Ayade Takes Medical Outreach To Itigidi, Abi Local Government Area

    The wife of the Governor of Cross River State, Dr Linda Ayade has organized a medical outreach for Itigidi, the Abi LG Headquarters on 21st to 23rd March, 2022.

    The outreach which is a partnership between her NGO, the Mediatrix Development Foundation, the Cross River State Ministry of Health and Faithcare International, has offered various medical services including free laboratory tests, dental care, eye care and major surgeries to the people within the environs.

    Speaking during the activity, the Medical Superintendent of the Eja Memorial Hospital said the coming of the Governor’s wife had sharply increased the pace of activities in the facility, an indication that people are in desperate need of medical services but are unable to afford to pay for it. He said about 300 people registered on the first day and the number had tripled on the second day. He thanked Dr. Linda Ayade for for helping the vulnerable and called on others to do same.

    Earlier, the Nigerian Director of Faithcare International said theirs was a Christian organization committed to the demonstration of the love of God by addressing the spiritual and medical needs of people. He confirmed that apart from counselling and other services, they were carrying out tens of surgeries daily, some of them major operations.

    Both patients and their relatives were exultant and thanked the medical team. One Madam Jenny Livinus Imoke showered words of blessings on the Governor’s wife for saving the life of her sister who had battled breast cancer for 8 years with no hope of ever being able to afford the needed treatment.

    Sharing his view of MDF’s intervention in the area of health, a member the NGO’s Board, Mr. Fred Abua, said he was excited at what MDF had been able to accomplish in the lives of the beneficiaries of these outreaches over the years. It would have been difficult, if not impossible for some of them to pay for what they were receiving. He revealed that in every location the organization had been over the last 7 years, cancers, hernias, lumps, appendicitis, malignant growths, etc, had all been removed and a new lease on life given to the people at no cost to them.

    Mediatrix Development Foundation has held about 10 free medical outreaches since it’s inception and has reached thousands of Cross Riverians with life-saving services. The team is now at General Hospital, Ukem, Odukpani, where another outreach is taking place.

     

  • Mental Health: CRSG To Partner Federal Neuro-Psychiatry Hospital To Strengthen Mental Health Services In The State, As Over 196 PHC Facilities Set To Offer Services

    Mental Health: CRSG To Partner Federal Neuro-Psychiatry Hospital To Strengthen Mental Health Services In The State, As Over 196 PHC Facilities Set To Offer Services

     

    Over 50 million Nigerians are said to be suffering from various degrees of mental health illnesses with only a fraction of about 10% of the affected individuals having full access to medical facilities and care due to complacency of admission into designated facilities.

    With an emerging trend of mental health issues among pregnant and nursing mothers suffering post partum stress , there is need to incorporate mental health regiments as part of services enjoyed by women in Primary Healthcare Centres during antenatal services to avoid complications in the nearest future , not also forgetting the increasing figures of substance abuse by young adults in secondary and tertiary places of learning and other mental health problems such as depression.

    Part of these were the motivation which led a team of medical experts from the Federal Neuro-psychiatric hospital to pay a courtesy visit to the Director General of the Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr Janet Ekpenyong in her office to seek ways of creating a timely and lasting solution.

    Led by Dr Edak Okwong of the “Mental Health Prevention and Promotion” unit of the Institution , the body is seeking to collaborate with the Cross River State Government via the State Primary Healthcare Development Agency in raising awareness as well as training health care providers on early detection and basic management of suspected mental health cases and strengthen linkage/referral of cases to secondary facilities.

    They said, with most of the population of victims living in rural areas, access to the Neuro-psychiatric hospital could be demanding and as such, creating a flexible platform for preliminary clinical services before situation detoriates.

    She praised the Director General for her innovative disposition in the upgrade of Primary Healthcare facilities across the state, with staff discipline a worthy and enviable achievements.

    Responding to the team’s visit, Director General of the Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr Janet Ekpenyong thanked the team for the visit, describing the collaboration as timely and audacious in checking the declining mental health situations of Cross Riverians.

    According to her “Mental Health is a huge challenge in the society today and so much awareness needs to be created, especially with the increasing number of young adults who get involved with substance abuse as well as some strange complications such as depression arising from pregnancy and post patum stress in women and slow development in children.

    She said , although the management of these illnesses are beyond the scopes and operations of the Primary Healthcare Centres, early stages of these illnesses could be attended to as well as counseling services provided to clients by health workers who are well trained with desired skills. They’ll also know when and where to refer cases to.

    The DG appealed to them to reactivate the mental health clinic in General hospital Calabar and other secondary facilities in the state to serve as hubs for referral cases from primary health centres.

    She said She’s hopeful that in the nearest future, selected workers who will be trained will cascade the teachings to other staff as the Primary Healthcare Centres is readily available to provide supportive roles to the Neuro-psychiatric Hospital. She committed to ensuring that mental health awareness is integrated into the PHC services.

    At the end of the meeting, both parties agreed to the prioritization of at least one Facility in all 196 wards of Cross River State to manage Mental Health related issues, incorporate Mental Health education and sensitization to the state Social Mobilization Curriculum, Periodic training of Health workers on the innovation and requirements for managing mental Health patients amongst others.

    High points of the meeting was the conferment of the Mental Health Ambassador/Advocate title on the Director General and two of the Directors of the Agency for their Unquantifiable contributions towards mental health education and elimination of related illnesses in the state.

    Present at the meeting and other contributions were made by Mrs Joy Chabo, (Director, Disease Control and Immunization), Mrs Sally Enyim(Director, Community and Family Services ), Mrs Unawu Elizabeth.

  • CRSG Flags Off 2022 National Immunization Days Plus Campaign

    CRSG Flags Off 2022 National Immunization Days Plus Campaign

    By Simon Ushie

    The Cross River State Government have flagged off the National Immunization Plus Days Exercise with a call to parents and caregivers to maximize the opportunity in getting rid of vaccine preventable diseases in the state.

    The state Deputy Governor , His Excellency, Prof Ivara Esu gave the charge in Calabar during the official flag off ceremony of the National Immunization Plus Days Exercise at the Conference Hall of the Deputy Governor’s Office Calabar.

    Performing the exercise, Professor Ivara Esu described the exercise as one amongst the most essential civic responsibilities that must be performed by parents in order to raise a guaranteed society rid of common communicable and preventable deaths.

    The Dep Governor assured that the administration of Senator Prof Benedict Ayade will continue to place greater premium to the health needs of the people of the state through funding and regular upgrading of facilities and equipment to move along with the developed world in the 21st century world.

    Prof Esu maintained further that the importance of the Immunization exercise cannot be overflogged bearing in mind the devastating effects of such childhood diseases such as measles and polio in particular which affect the limbs of children amongst others.

    He commended the Director General of the State Primary Health Care Development Agency SPHCDA, Dr Janet Ekpenyong for the level of passion and enthusiasm she has put into ensuring that the health agency is one of the flagship and point of pride in the country, stressing that the achievement recorded by the agency and the state health sector in general during the COVID-19 right from 2019 is proudly amazing. He also commended the entire health team led by the Commissioner for health, Dr Betta Edu for their response against Covid-19 and other health matters in the state.

    In her remarks the Director General, Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr Janet Ekpenyong said the NIPDs is one of those high impact interventions initiated by the federal and state government with partners to sustain the gains made in the eradication of the wild polio virus. She said the NIPDs serves as an opportunity to get all children within the ages of 0-5years protected against polio, particularly those who for some reason may have missed out on the routine Immunization. She said the exercise targets over 900,000 children which she promised that the state will achieve 100%.

    She expressed her profound gratitude and appreciation to the state Governor, Senator Prof Benedict Ayade through the Deputy Governor, Prof Ivara Esu for his sincere commitment towards the realization of the the lofty ideals set out for the agency and the health sector to achieve.

    According to her, the commitment and support from the state hierarchy including Her Excellency, Dr Linda Ayade, has actually fast tracked the achievements of the agency and the health sector as shown in previous successes and current strides which today has rated Cross River State among top performing state in the country.

    Dr. Ekpenyong disclosed that it is as the result of this encouragement from their Excellencies that her agency and the health sector is at the forefront of other health care development drive in the country to ensure that the gains of the past are sustained and more strides are achieved for the benefit of the people. She also commended, the Hon Commissioner for health, Dr Betta Edu and other health team members for the great leadership and team spirit which is yielding result.

    On his part, the Chairman House Committee on health, Cross River House of Assembly, Dr. Ekpo-Ekpo Bassey, revealed that the primary purpose of government is to provide security and welfare as lucidly captured in the nation’s constitition.

    He maintained that health care is one of the essential components of the welfare programme on which is placed on the shoulder of government, while pledging on behalf of the CRHA to partner with the PHCDA to ensure that the people enjoy quality and robust health services.

    The Chairman of Akpabuyo LGA, and Chairman of Chairmen Hon Emmanuel Bassey pledged support of all LGA Chairmen to Immunization and other PHC activities.

    The event coincided with the 2022 Maiden Meeting of the state Task Team on Immunization, the Deputy Governor who is also the Chairman of the meeting said that Immunisation is a veritable national and state exercise which is ultimately vital in the life of the citizenry, most importantly for those from zero to 59 months.

    High points of the day was goodwill messages from development partners including WHO, UNICEF, while the Deputy Governor, Prof Ivara Esu administered the vaccine to some babies assisted by the Chairman, House Committee on HEALTH, Dr. Bassey, the Director General of PHCDA, Dr. Janet Ekpenyong, the Chairman of Akpabuyo Local government Area and Chairman of Chairmen in the state, Emmanuel Bassey.

  • Stakeholders Seeks Funding As Cross River Marks World Neglected Tropical Disease Day

    Stakeholders Seeks Funding As Cross River Marks World Neglected Tropical Disease Day

    By Simon Ushie

    An estimate of One in every walking Five people globally are said to be suffering from some form of Neglected Tropical Disease with a higher percentage of patients residing in poor income countries of the world.

    Globally, January 30th has been set aside to mark the “World Neglected Tropical Disease Day” with stakeholders uniting to chat a new course towards reduction and possible elimination of these “stigma ” bound diseases which leaves patients socially excluded from other people.

    In Cross River State, the day was marked with deep sense of reflection on the dangers these ailments poses to communities as greater attention was given in alignment to this year’s theme, “Achieving Health Equity To End The Neglect Of Poverty Related Diseases” with various speakers sharing their thoughts.

    Addressing participants and stakeholders the lead to whom greater responsibility rest upon in the sensitization, awareness creation, prevention, detection, care and treatment of these diseases, Director General of the Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency,.
    Dr Janet Ekpenyong calls for greater resource mobilization from partners for cohesive and radical fight against Neglected Tropical Diseases.

    The DG noted that, although much resources is already earmarked towards the cause, improved budgetry provision should be made in order to help incorporate NTDs with other common diseases which are highly sort after in the Primary Healthcare facilities.

    She said, the state is commited towards fighting these disease as it has shown commitment through the appointment of Community Informants, NTD focal persons in all the LGAs which has contributed in improved surveillance and tackling suspected cases especially in Children.

    “I’m proud of the outcome in recent survey as we saw the need to intensify surveillance in our various Communities through the appointment of Community Informants, NTD focal persons who go around enlightening people on the dangers of NTDs and administration of deworming tablets to children.
    These diseases lead to high mortality in our Communities and that is why we are calling on all stakeholders to mobilize resources to fight the diseases, so that they are been tackled at the earliest stages and we will ensure they are integrated into Primary Healthcare services along other diseases”.
    She thanked RTI for all their support in tackling NTDs in the state and their commitment to partner with the state to
    Also speaking, the Chairman house committee on health, Dr Ekpo Ekpo Bassey, assured the participants that the house of assembly will ensure health is prioritized in the state budget and will also work with the ministry of health to include NTDs in the budget.
    The Director of Public health reiterated the health sector commitment in ensuring that NTDs like other diseases will get the necessary attention. He also appreciated RTI for all their support to the state

    Other speakers who spoke commended the Cross River State Government for timely interventions in Riverine Communities through aggressive mobilization of health workers in offering deworming tablets to pregnant women and children who are more prone to these infection.
    They also called on Government to invest more in the health sector, to ensure those with NTDs have equitable access to health care services.
    At the end of the forum, all parties present agreed to
    1)Create sense of ownership and the drive the Neglected Tropical Disease program sustainability agenda In the state .
    2)Advocate for state program counterparts funding and promote local resource mobilization for Neglected Tropical Disease elimination.
    3) Consolidate on the state’s achievements in Creating more awareness and sensitize stakeholders towards complete elimination of Neglected Tropical Diseases in Cross River State.

    These diseases which are most predominate in rural Communities where water supply and sanitation are substandard are either being spread by Viruses, Bacteria, Parasites and can be minimized by observing personal and environmental hygiene.

    Participants were drawn from the Federal and State ministries of Health, the Nigerian Medical Association, State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, UCTH Development Partners and other Private Medical Practitioners.

  • CRSPHCDA, MOH To Commence National Immunization Plus Days (NIPDS) Across The State – Ekpenyong

    CRSPHCDA, MOH To Commence National Immunization Plus Days (NIPDS) Across The State – Ekpenyong

    The Cross River State Primary Health Care Development Agency in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and partners will commence National Immunization Plus Days (NIPDS) across the 18 Local Government Areas of the state Cto combat the Spread of Poliomyelitis.

    The Response which targets children between the ages of 0-59 months will be administered Orally in all Government Health Facilities and designated temporary posts in our various Communities.

    Parents and care givers are admonished to bring out their kids and wards for the vaccination execise as health care providers will be moving from house to house, available in churches, schools, recreational centres, markets and other areas.

    Date: Saturday 29th January through Tuesday 1st of February, 2022.

    Note: The Vaccine is free, safe and effective for all children.

    For enquiry call: 0704 556 3366 or 07036696010.

    This message is brought to you by Dr Janet Ekpenyong
    Director General, Cross River State Primary Health Care Development Agency