The Lumine News

Tag: #NPHCDA

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Ekpenyong Warns Staff Against Discrimination Of Patients With Covid19 Related Symptoms

    Ekpenyong Warns Staff Against Discrimination Of Patients With Covid19 Related Symptoms

    By Simon Ushie

    The Director General of the Cross River State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr Janet Ekpenyong has warned primary healthcare workers in the state against discriminating patients who present Covid19 related symptoms to their various facilities.

    Dr Ekpenyong issued the warning in Itigidi, Abi Local Government Area of Cross River State when she undertook an assessment visit to ascertain the quality of information dissemination and knowledge sharing in the ongoing training exercise for Health workers on Covid19 prevention, treatment and care in the state.

    The DG said on no account should any facility or individual be reported for patient’s mismanagement or poor service delivery as a result of their medical predicament but charged them to take adequate caution while performing their duties.

    She said, though morality is being reported as it concerns Covid19, but when compared to other diseases common within our environment, health workers should not neglect patients to die because of fear of being infected and so the importance of adhering to the guidelines as being thought to them.

    “Covid19 just like every other sickness kills,but when you compare the mortality rate to malaria, typhoid and even maternal mortality you will discover that the attention given and the anxiety attached to it is unwarranted.
    It is unfair to allow patients who seek medical attention in your facilities to suffer or die because of fear of Covid19.
    Any health worker or facility that gets implicated with this act,will be dealt with appropriately, as we all know ,our duty is to provide quality healthcare for our people in line with Senator Ben Ayade’s Commitment in creating a formidable healthcare sector that will be envied across the country”.

    Ekpenyong further thanked the state Governor Senator Ben Ayade and members of the Health community in Cross River State for their Commitment in safeguarding the lives of Cross Riverians and maintaining a great fight against Covid19 and other infectious diseases.

    One of the participants Mrs Mary Isaac
    applauded the state government in investing in the development and capacity building of PHC staff as she also appealed for trainings of such nature to be replicated as often as possible in all other Primary healthcare services and programs in the state.

    The training which is organized by the National Primary Health Care Development Agency and supported by the state government has over 5000 health beneficiaries comprising health workers drawn from the primary, secondary and tertiary health sector across the 18 Local Government Areas of the state.

    Since the first case of Covid19 was reported in March 2020, over 24,000 have tested positive, with about 8,000 discharged and a further 500 dead so far in Nigeria.

  • Cross River State Government Begins Integrated Campaign Against Vaccine Preventable Diseases

    Cross River State Government Begins Integrated Campaign Against Vaccine Preventable Diseases

    By Simon Ushie – Calabar

    The Cross River State Government has urged women especially nursing mothers to keep to the 6 routine immunization appointments for their wards to avoid deaths of infants in the state as a result of vaccine preventable diseases.

    The Director General of the Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr Janet Ekpenyong made the call while addressing the public on the importance of strict adherence to immunization exercise and the resultant effects when missed.

    Dr Ekpenyong held that globally one of the highest causes of infants mortality are illnesses which can be vaccinated against while also emphasizing that vaccines are the sourest antidotes for childhood killer diseases.

    The DG admonished parents and care givers to make their wards available for vaccination especially as the state is set to kick start its routine measles and immunization exercise across the 18 Local Government Areas of Cross River State.

    Her words “We all know that there are other diseases that are killing our people especially children aside Covid19, and so as a state we have chosen to start an integrated campaign against all childhood killer diseases and for a start, the measles campaign. It is worrisome to note that many women are depriving their kids from this privilege and as a state, we can’t afford to manage another pandemic after Covid19.

    “I want to debunk every rumor out there that there are poisonous vaccines being imported and circulated across the country. Emphatically I must say that our vaccines in Cross River State are safe and they are potent in line with the World Health Organization’s standard and best practices. Our central cold store is working, and in our various facilities, we have solar panel refrigerators to store these vaccines.

    “I want to encourage all our mothers and care givers to as a matter of concern to take their children and wards to the nearest Primary Health care Facility around them and get them immunized.

    “Immunization is free and if taken accurately will ensure the development of antibodies of their children”.

    Also speaking, the State Immunization Officer, Mrs Joy Chabo, charged pregnant women to ensure maximum utilization of health facilities around them in order to receive vaccines which will protect them and their unborn children.

    On her part, the state Mobilization officer, Mrs Nsa Ekpenyong noted that  the agency have engaged the services of town criers in the rural areas, reached out to traditional, religious and group leaders to permit health workers to access their communities and facilities to administer vaccines to their kids as well as pregnant women.

    The Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency has commenced state wide campaign to mobilize women for routine immunization.

    Some of the diseases to be immunized include; Poliomyelitis, Tuberculosis, Hepatitis B, Diphtheria,Pneumonia, Measles,Yellow fever, Diarrhea among others.

  • Covid 19: C’River Govt Receives Technical And Material Support From NPHCDA

    Covid 19: C’River Govt Receives Technical And Material Support From NPHCDA

    By Simon Ushie – Calabar

    As part of measures to improve quality and effective healthcare delivery for Cross Riverians, the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA), have donated some personal protective equipment and Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials to the Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency to boost the fight against Covid-19 in the state.

    Presenting the materials to the agency, the state coordinator for the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Mr Julius Idoko maintained that “the state’s effort in the fight against Covid-19 has gained a nationwide recognition and hence the need to support the state in training health workers to boost their capacity and enlighten them on best and globally accepted medical practices”

    Receiving the materials on behalf of the Government, the Director General, Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr Janet Ekpenyong thanked the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency for assisting the state in the organization of various training workshops for staff in the state and in the provision of Information, Education and communication materials to enhance staff knowledge and their capacity to meet the health needs of Cross Riverians .

    Ekpenyong held that “On behalf of the Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, I am very thankful to the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency for this show of love especially this moment where the whole world is being faced with the pandemic that we are all struggling to understand and find a cure to it. These things that are provided will be used judiciously for the benefit of our people as we have set up a team to ensure that all wards and villages get a share of these materials as we seek to improve the health and wellbeing of our people.

    “Just recently, the NPHCDA assisted us in building the capacity of health workers through an online training section comprising of state, local Government and ward level staff in the agency.

    “The nation has seen the great efforts made so far by the Cross River State Government as Senator Professor Ben Ayade has been in the forefront in fighting the pandemic and that is why the NPHCDA is coming to support us today.

    “We will ensure that our health workers across the 196 wards are fully informed and trained and as well spread the information to the various communities where they work to ensure that Cross River State remain covid19 free”.

    The Director General further distributed the materials to various Local Government Heads and heads of facilities.

    Some of the materials given includes Veronica buckets, waste bins, training manuals for prevention and control of Covid-19, facemasks, thermometers and other Personal Protective Equipment.

    The presentation is coming on the hills of the recently conducted training for health workers across the state using the zoom application system, an innovation which has generated wide praise from all quotas across the state.

  • Ekpenyong Charges Health Workers On Surveillance, Says Nigeria Cannot Afford Another Disease Outbreak

    Ekpenyong Charges Health Workers On Surveillance, Says Nigeria Cannot Afford Another Disease Outbreak

    By Simon Ushie

    The Director General, Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr Janet Ekpenyong has charged health workers in the Agency to step up surveillance and comprehensive health services as she said the state and nation can’t afford another disease outbreak.

    Dr Ekpenyong stated this as part of her closing remarks for the 3 days Virtual training exercise for Workers in the agency on best ways of managing the covid19 pandemic and other infectious diseases.

    Ekpenyong said the training was imperative for workers across the 18 LGAs as this will further spur them to offer world class services and make them abreast with global practices on managing infectious diseases especially Covid19 and lassa fever.

    “We can’t afford to have another pandemic after Covid19, and that is why I am so excited to have our partners organize this training for our workers, I personally have learnt a lot and am sure all of our workers across the 18 LGAs who participated in the training have gained newer insight into the management of the Covid-19 pandemic and for those in the rural areas, these messages will be passed across to them”

    On cordial relationship and quality training and supports from partners, the DG said, such relationships must continue and evolve into more result oriented measures especially as the state seeks to front line the quest to ascertain the status of Universal Health Coverage in the nearest possible time.

    “I want to thank the Executive Director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr Fiasal Shuaib for this innovation to place primary Healthcare workers pal by pal with their contemporaries in both secondary and tertiary facilities through this training which is not only timely but necessary as we join our hands in fighting the Covid19 pandemic.

    “I also want to thank the facilitators in charge of Cross River State from the NPHCDA including Dr AJ Oteri, Dr Valentine Obijekwu, Dr Chinedu Okoronkwo, Ameenah, W.H.O partners including Dr Raji Rilwan, Mr Santus Ugbal, Mr Julius Idoko(State coordinator, NPHCDA) and all staff of the agency”

    In his response, one of the facilitators, Dr OJ Oteri praised the DG for coordinating a wonderful set of health workers whose contributions and inquisitive nature proved a collaborative fight for the elimination of Covid19.

    “I have not seen a wonderful set of participants like the ones we have in Cross River State, the platform was interactive all through the 3 days of training and one thing am confident about is that you all will step down these trainings to those in the rural areas, and it shows that the state is ready to fight Covid-19”.

    The three days training had about 200 participants including heads of various programmes like the immunization services, Family planning, community and family health, mobilization officers, heads of Local government’s health authority and other stakeholders who will in turn train lower cadre officers in their wards and communities.

    Participants were taught various topics ranging from Covid-19 transmission, symptoms, how to control the spread of the disease, Methods of spread and prevention, facts and rumours about the disease, roles and responsibilities of health workers in managing the disease.

  • Ekpenyong Declares Open A Three Day Virtual Training For Health Workers Open In Calabar

    Ekpenyong Declares Open A Three Day Virtual Training For Health Workers Open In Calabar

    By Simon Ushie – Calabar

    The Director General, Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr Janet Ekpenyong has flagged off a 3-day virtual training for health workers in the primary Healthcare Development Agency on how to manage the Covid-19 pandemic in the state.

    The DG in her opening remarks, thanked the Executive Director of National Primary Health Care Development Agency Dr Faisal Shuaib and other staff of the agency for the timely support of training health workers who are the frontliners in the fight against Covid-19.She urged the health workers to prioritize the training and develope their capacity for efficient service delivery.
    She urged them to be mindful of
    their healths by observing simple precautionary measures while attending to patients in their various facilities.

    Dr Ekpenyong said the state cannot afford to slow down in its approach in preventing the spread of the pandemic after getting nods up from the federal government (Federal Ministry of Health, National Centre for Disease Control, National Primary Healthcare Development Agency) for best practices in Covid-19 and other infectious diseases.

    She further commended the workers for their dogged nature in ensuring that all communities irrespective of barriers are reached through practical demonstrations of various preventive measures like hand wash, use of personal protective equipment and other forms of preventive measures.

    In his remarks, representative of the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr Oteri praised the coordination of the Director General and her team whose responses proved valuable and a confirmation of a Zero incidence case on Covid19.

    “These Cross River people are doing very well, they have eluded my expectations, all of your responses have shown that the Director General, Dr Janet Ekpenyong has done a very good job for the agency and for Cross Riverians as well.

    The virtual interactive training section had over 150 participants who will serve as trainers and coaches including heads of various units, Disease Surveillance and notification officers, Local Immunization Officers, infectious Disease officers across the 18 Local Government Areas of the state which lasted for 9 hours.

  • Cross River State Deserves Some Accolades In The Fight Against Covid-19 – Olowu

    Cross River State Deserves Some Accolades In The Fight Against Covid-19 – Olowu

    By Elijah Ugani – Calabar

    The leader of a seven man delegation of the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control NCDC, to Cross River State, Dr Omobolanle Olowu has stated that the state deserves some commendation in its proactive measures to fight Covid-19.

    Olowu stated this at the office of the Commissioner for Health who is also the Task Force Chairman on Covid-19, in Calabar today as part of its efforts to support state governments in the fight against the pandemic.

    Olowu however raised concerns of their initial fears that her delegation would be quarantined as earlier announced by the state government.

    The team lead commended the proactive initiative of the state to commence the fight against Covid-19 pandemic even when Nigeria had not recorded any incident.

    Her words, “Cross River deserves some accolades for the job they have done so far. The preventive measures, the production of nose masks and other proactive measures which they deployed, we really commend them.

    “We had the fear of being quarantined but all that is over now as nothing like that happened, we want to believe the measured put in place by the state has made the status (COVID-19) free.

    “There was a lot of anxiety before coming to Cross River, but I am glad we were given a warm reception.

    “We are surprised at the level of work that has been put in place so far, all the people we saw were all on nose masks with different teams at various points in the state”

    On her part, the state Task Force Chairman and Commissioner for Health, Dr Betta Edu, maintained that “It should be noted that Cross River was the first state to start the no mask, no movement policy, we blocked all borders too, very early and we were carrying out drills twice a day and later reduced it to once a day as part of proactive measures.

    “We want to make it known that we are not at loggerhead with the Federal government or NCDC, we are just protecting the interest of Cross Riverians.

    “We are partnering with UCTH and all medical and para-medical associations including Nigeria Medical Association, NMA, Medical Laboratory laboratory Scientists, nurses and pharmacists in the area of training and retraining for efficiency and quality service delivery as it concerns COVID-19”

    The team however still maintained the earlier position of Cross River State being Covid-19 free.