The Lumine News

Tag: #CRSPHCDA

  • C’River Concludes Plans For Integrated Measles Campaign

    C’River Concludes Plans For Integrated Measles Campaign

     

    By: Nakanda Iyadim

    The Cross River State Primary Health Department Agency in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and partners wishes to announce the commencement of an integrated measles vaccination campaign across the 18 Local Government Areas.

    In a release signed by the Commissioner for Information, Dr Erasmus Ekpang indicates that the exercise which is free of charge will commence on Saturday, September 21, 2024 and end on Sunday ,September 29, 2024 in all health facilities and designated public facilities.

    Parents and caregivers are advised to avail themselves of this opportunity by getting their children and wards from day old to 59 months vaccinated against measles and other killer diseases during the immunization exercise in all designated vaccination centers across the State.

    Ekpang further added that officials from the Primary Health Care Development Agency with reflective crested vest shall move from house to house to administer the measles vaccines on the children and should be welcome by residents to ensure successful implementation of the programme.

  • 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.

  • GADA Seeks Collaboration With CRSPHCDA To Check Gender Based Violence In The State

    GADA Seeks Collaboration With CRSPHCDA To Check Gender Based Violence In The State

    By Simon Ushie

    As part of measures aimed at ensuring effective and efficient health services delivery in the state, the Cross River State Government and Centre for “Gender and Development Action” have sued for collaborations in order to offer medical and clinical supports to victims of Gender based violence across the state .

    Speaking during a courtesy and advocacy visit by the members of the Cross River State GADA network, Director General of the Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr Janet Ekpenyong applauded the team for the positive roles in managing the crude effects of gender based violence in the society.

    Dr Ekpenyong said the visit and need to develop a web-chained policy to bind both bodies is thoughtful as she noted that, gender-based violence has metamorphosied into a core issue leading to mental and psychological health decline over the years.

    She noted that, the Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency through the social mobilization team have reached out to various groups and Communities including schools, religious and Political bodies to sensitize women and men on the devastating effects of gender based violence which over the years had resulted into deaths.

    She further assured the visiting team of Government’s full support for their programmes and policies as well amicably collaborate with other “Gender Sensitive” partners like the UNFPA and other relevant stakeholders in the sector in bringing about speedy multiplier-effect in the nearest future. She committed to ensuring some health facilities will provide free health services to victims and will also advocate for the inclusion of GBV victims as vulnerables into the health insurance scheme to ensure they get free health care.

    Team lead for the Cross River State Gender and Development Action and state Programme Officer, Ms. Praise Amaujo hinted that the Agency is committed to eliminating violence against vulnerable females who are either incapacitated financially or are vulnerable through unfavorably societal laws and influnces.

    Amaujo maintained that GADA has created Peer Clubs in Schools, social and medical services among others as part of modalities put in place on its sustainability plan, adding that it has also increased support for continuity from PHC with priority on emergencies.

    She also disclosed that training of Health workers for effective and efficient service delivery is apt moreso, as to inculcate a sense of responsibility amongst female counterparts in the health sector hence the need for broader and more realistic framework between the group and the government of Cross River State.

    Also speaking, the Director, Community and Family Health Services, Mrs. Sally Enyim, lauded the GADA team, describing the visit as; not only worthwhile, but timely noting that as the female child are easily swayed by peer groups in perpetuating acts viewed inimical to societal norms and values.

    Continuing, Enyim strongly subscribed to training and re-training of the vulnerable gender, maintaining that the exercise would further afford them a better and/or informed direction , re-strategize the gap created between their incessant misgivings as well bring to fore those virtues upheld by the society.

    The visit also featured other important dignitaries from GADA and the State Primary Healthcare Development Agency.

  • 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.

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

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

    By Simon Ushie

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  • Ekpenyong Advocates For Alternative And Sustainable Power Supply In PHCs

    Ekpenyong Advocates For Alternative And Sustainable Power Supply In PHCs

    By Simon Ushie

    Across the 36 states of the Country and the the Federal Capital Territory inclusive, Primary Healthcare Centres have remained the first point of call to citizens due to the absence of bureaucracy in gaining access to services and it’s availability in almost all Communities.

    With over 30,000 Primary Healthcare Centres across the country, and high profile case management procedures as a result of Covid-19, there is need for round the clock functionality to offer basic services to clients, hence the need for improved power supply in these facilities.

    With some of the most common services like management of Malaria , diarrhea, typhoid, HIV/Aids , Antenatal and Post Natal Services, Daily Immunization services offered, there is need for specimen preservation, vaccine potency maintenance as well as the illumination of structures to aid efficiency in service delivery.

    It was on this premise that the “Good Governance Team” in collaboration with the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency converged stakeholders in Abuja on a one day workshop and policy dialogue with the theme : Powering Primary Healthcare Centres In Nigeria” with emphasis on Solar Power supply as an alternative to the use of gasoline generator and it’s fossil emission.

    Panelists were drawn from different regions of the Country including , Dr Janet Ekpenyong ( Director General of the Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency) representing the South South Region, Anambra ( South East), Gombe ( North East), Nasarrawa ( North Central), Zamfara (North West) to make demands for their regions as well as speak on common challenges faced by health workers in offering services as a result of poor and elliptical power supply in their regions.

    At the end of the workshop, some resolutions were met and it is expected that , states governments will
    1) Achieve buy-in and Increased commitment on #Solar4PHCs among target stakeholders at the national and subnational regions.

    2)There would be an increased awareness on the #Solar4PHCs campaign through amplification of voices, and how renewable energy can help strengthen the Nigerian Health system thereby improving the functionality of Primary Healthcare Centres in Nigeria.

  • Ekpenyong Commends Hope Waddell Old Boys Association As She Commissions Health Centre Donated To The Institution

    Ekpenyong Commends Hope Waddell Old Boys Association As She Commissions Health Centre Donated To The Institution

    By Simon Ushie

    The Director General of the Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr Janet Ekpenyong has commissioned a primary health care centre at the premises of the famous Hope Waddell Training institute calabar, the Cross River State Capital.

    The facility which was built and equipped by the Old Boys Association of the school is to provide health intervention and services for staff, students and members of the host Community.

    Speaking during the exercise, the DG described the gesture as befitting and estimable, as she noted that attaining universal Health Coverage has become everybody’s responsibility both in rural and urban areas.

    Dr Ekpenyong further applauded the team as she stated that the gesture is worth emulating by both individuals and groups.

    She encouraged other Alumnus to give back to their Alma mater and health should be prioritize in order to assist government in the Provision of efficient health care services and strengthening of school health program.

    She assured them of 100% support from the state government, and assured that the facility will enjoy all privileges like every other Primary Healthcare Centre in the state.

    “I am very excited to see this building, I commend the Hope Wadell Old Boys Association for this project which has direct effect not just to students alone but for staff and those who stay around this area.

    “As part of the collaboration with the state government, we have already sent two staff to man the facility and I assure you that, whatever is being enjoyed in other facilities, same will be enjoyed here”.

    In their separate remarks, the Principal of the school, Mr Okon Onoyom Ita, as well as the Permanent secretary, ministry of Water Resources, Dr Joseph Bassey, executive and members of the Hope Waddell Old Boys Association thanked the Director General of the Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency and the state Government for the prompt response in getting the facility to work.

    In attendance were the Director of Local Government Health Authority, Calabar Municipal Mrs Blessing Omachi, Director of Community and family Health services, Mrs Sally Enyim, Ward Focal person for Ikot Effanga, Mrs Christy Iwara as well as staff of the Hope Wadell Training Institute, and some Old Boys.

  • CRSPHCDA Commences Personnel Audit For Environmental Health Officers

    CRSPHCDA Commences Personnel Audit For Environmental Health Officers

     

    The Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency has commenced verification exercise for environmental health officers in the state as a means of boosting and optimizing the services of the unit in the state.

    Addressing the workers at the Agency’s Head office in calabar, the Director General of the Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr. Janet Ekpenyong urged the workers to cooperate with the screening committee in order to achieve the desired aim of the exercise.

    The DG who was represented by the Director of Administration Barrister John Odu said, the aim of the exercise is to create a unified system where all environmental health officers in the state can be in cooperated in line with the laws guiding their system of operation.

    Barrister Odu said, the agency having the mandate to provide quality healthcare to 70% of Cross Riverians across the state, can only function effectively if all staff are brought under one control system where regulation of their duties will be ensured and their duties discharged without compromise.

    The verification exercise is expected to be done in all three Senatorial districts of the state with screening centres in Ikom to cover the central Senatorial District and Ogoja for those in the Northern Senatorial District.

    Some of the documents expected to be presented to the panel by the officers includes:

    Original and photocopies of their credentials.

    Evidence of registration and licence with EHORECON.

    Two recent passport photograph in two separate files.

    Evidence of payment of dues 2019-2020 and must appear in their complete uniforms for identification.

    Currently, there are 150 Environmental Health workers under the Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency offering services to citizens and residents including;

    1. Environmental health control of housing/sanitation

    2. Waste management

    3. Food hygiene/ control

    3. Pest/vector control

    4. water hygiene and sanitation

    5. School health services

    6. Occupational health and safety

    7. Epidemiological investigation/control

    8. Protection of recreational environment

    9. EHIA

    10. Promotion and enforcement of environmental health quality standard

    11. Pollution control and abatement.

  • CRSG Flags Off BHCPF Training For Enumerators, Targets 700,000 Vulnerable Persons To Be Enrolled As The State Access Funds.

    CRSG Flags Off BHCPF Training For Enumerators, Targets 700,000 Vulnerable Persons To Be Enrolled As The State Access Funds.

    By Simon Ushie

    The Cross River State Government has flagged off the training exercise for enumerators, who will go into the field for health facilities assessment, as the state gets ready to access the Basic Health Care Provision Funds BHCPF, aimed at capturing and enrolling 700,000 vulnerable persons across the 18 Local Government Areas, to access free quality health care services in the state.

    Flagging off the training exercise in Calabar the Cross River State Capital, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Betta Edu urged participants to pay attention to the rules and guidelines surrounding enumerations, mapping and facility assessment.

    Dr. Edu said among other benefits, the scheme will help cushion the hardship faced by households when accessing Healthcare services.
    She further charged enumerators to be guided and perform their task with all sense of sincerity and a high level of integrity and said if proper information are not generated and laid down task accomplished, it could expose all Cross Riverians, irrespective of their social and political class to poor and ineffective healthcare supply.

    Speaking earlier, the Director General of the Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr. Janet Ekpenyong applauded the facilitators of the exercise, as she encouraged the participants to tap from their wealth of experience and technical expertise to ensure that Cross River State achieve maximum results in its quest to achieving Universal Health Coverage Status.

    Dr Ekpenyong further applauded the state Governor, Senator Ben Ayade for his huge investment in the health sector which she said has helped in reducing maternal and infant mortality and strengthening the believe system among Community members to seek supports for their health challenges in Government owned facilities.

    On his part, the Director General of the Cross River State Health Insurance Scheme, Chief Goddy Iyala said his Agency is poised to support all Agencies of Government both within the state and outside the state to ensure that success is achieved.

    He further called on transparency in obtaining data from relevant bodies which will aid planning and implementation as he said the Cross River State Health Insurance is one of the pioneer Agencies in the country to start enrollment and as such a reliable gateway to obtaining results.

    Facilitators from the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency as well as the National Health Insurance Scheme applauded the State Government for prioritizing healthcare for it’s citizens as well as setting the template for other states to follow.

    Participants include Monitoring and Evaluation Officers drawn from the state Ministry of Health, the State Primary Healthcare Agency and the State Health Insurance Scheme are expected to be taught various methods of Facility rating using the Open Data Kit (ODK) to ascertain the quality of services being offered in each facility both in terms of client’s convenience, number of staff as well as a step down training for ward and Community leaders.

    The Basic Healthcare Provision Fund was borne out of the 2015 National Health Council meeting which stipulates that 1% of the Nation’s consolidated revenue should be earmarked to boost Healthcare services in states across the country.

    The program is aimed at providing succor to the Vulnerable including the Aged, Pregnant Women and children under the age of 5, poor Households and low income earners with the sole target of all states contributing to Nigeria attaining the universal Health Coverage Status.

    With the Government of Senator Ben Ayade meeting all the criteria for accessing the said funds, through the payment of counterpart funds and building standard health facilities, the training of enumerators and capacity building could just be the icing on the cake for the state to join other states in benefiting from the reserved funds which will not only help remodel some of our health facilities but as well help in drugs stocking and the hiring of health workers to meet the growing population.