*Assures Community Of Quality Health Service To Reduce Morbidity And Mortality Amongst Women, Children
*Hon Commissioner, Betta Edu Promises More Improved Health Sector
By Matthew Okache
In a bid to ensure that pregnant mothers and newborns are given quality health services in the state, the Cross River State Government on Saturday flagged off 2nd Round Maternal Newborn and Child Health Week.
The program which was aimed at targetting 856,000 children under five and pregnant women across the state was idealized by his amiable governor of the State, Ben Ayade, who was represented by Commissioner for Health, Betta Edu at the Primary Healthcare Centre, Nasarawa Community, Ikot Ekpo, Calabar Municipality.
It is usually organized twice in a year to monitor the mother, pregnant women, and every child from 0-58 months in terms of nutrition, hygiene and Immunisation and access to quality health care.
The former Director-General of Cross River State Primary Health Care Development Agency stated that the governor’s desire to organize the one-week health exercise was aimed at reducing morbidity and mortality in mothers, pregnant women, and children of age 0-5.
“The health week will feature routine immunization against childhood killer diseases, administration of Vitamin A for children, deworming of children, screening for acute malnutrition in children with appropriate referrals, provisions of antenatal care iron-folate for pregnant women, distribution of mosquito nets to pregnant and lactating women as well as health education on key health tips for household practices and HIV testing, amongst others.
“His Excellency Senator Prof Ben Ayade since his assumption of office has recorded some tremendous achievements in improving the quality of healthcare delivery services for people of the state and in this exercise, we would be covering over 856,000 children under five and pregnant women in the state.
In the same vein, the new Director-General of Cross River State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Janet David Ekpenyong appealed to the people to ensure that they utilize the one-week health exercise effectively to minimize maternal and infant child mortality.
“I want to assure the community of immediate revitalization of the health center to cater to the healthcare of the people in the community. His Excellency Governor Ben Ayade is very committed to drastically reduce maternal mortality and infancy through interventions such as State health insurance scheme “Ayadecare”.
Also, the Permanent Secretary, Cross River State Ministry Of Health, Dr. Joseph Bassey, reminded the people that the essence of the program was target at providing necessary ingredients in Immunisation that will keep the children safe from Diseases.
More so, the president of the medical women association, Dr. Bassey Nakanda, Charge the people in the community to remain grateful to the Governor of Cross River State, Senator, Professor Ben Ayade who has taken the health sector to the next level.
Consequently, Chief of Nasarawa Community, Alhaji. Sani Sambo, thanked His Excellency, Senator professor Ayade for his commitment in the health sector and appealed with the Government to equip the Primary health care to have all the requires treatment in the community.