by By Simon Ushie
The Director General of the Cross River State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr Janet Ekpenyong has urged local government Chairmen in the state to prioritize healthcare for their citizens as one of the most demanding dividend of democracy.
The DG made the call at separate occasions when she paid courtesy visits to the chairmen of Obanliku and Etung Local Government Areas of Cross River State to felicitate with them on their landslide victory in the just concluded elections and their subsequent swearing in by the state Governor, Senator Ben Ayade.
Ekpenyong who identified a healthy society as the driving pillar of any nation’s growth, urged the newly sworn in Council Chairmen to work hand in hand with their various Local Government PHC Coordinators to bring into fruition the vision of His Excellency, Senator Ben Ayade in taking quality and effective Healthcare to the grassroot which is critical in attaining Universal Health Coverage.
Ekpenyong sought their cooperation in meeting the numerous health needs of their subjects through facilities upgrade, renovation and the provision of conducive environments for health workers which will motivate them in quality service delivery.
In her response, the Chairman of Obanliku Local Government, Mrs. Margaret Inde said with her exposure in the health sector and as a public health practitioner, the primary health sector will receive much attention in order to eradicate various avoidable and preventable diseases.
The chairman further said, as part of her proactive steps and dedication to the health of her people ,she has mandated the use of facemask by all staff in the council as hand washing and other personal protecting etiquettes have been outlined as routines in their daily scheme of work .
On his part, the chairman of Etung Local Government Area, Mr John Etuk
thanked the DG for the visit as he further commended her proactive nature which has helped shaped the primary health sector within her short period in office.
He promised to collaborate with the agency and align with all of its policies as he identified primary health care as the foundation of effective Healthcare supply to citizens.
The visits saw the DG present various personal protective equipment to the Council heads which includes, Veronica Buckets, Hand Sanitizers and Medical Face masks.
The materials are in line with the global best practices of maintaining good personal hygiene and serve as a protective measure to the spread of various infectious diseases.
