Covid-19: C'River Issues New Public Health Guidelines

...Test for COVID-19 at Health Facilities across state using Rapid Diagnostic Test Kit.

Following the spread of the COVID-19 Virus and the sequencing of the Delta Variant of COVID-19 in the state which has affected a good number of persons lately, the Commissioner for Health and Chairman COVID19 Taskforce in Cross River state Dr Betta Edu has released a new health guideline on COVID19 testing which is intended to provide protection for the Health workers (front line) and the patient as well as aid early detection of suspected cases, thus reducing spread and saving lives in the communities.

This step which is expected to ramp up the state testing for COVID-19 and support the surveillance section of the epidemiology Unit of the public health response from the ministry of Health to reach more persons, confirm more cases and  build skills of front line health workers to overcome the pandemic is rated by many Public Health specialist as being timely!

The state has purchased several Rapid Diagnostic Test kits for COVId-19 in addition to previous donations from NCDC which is to be distributed to all major Health facilities in the state both at secondary and primary Level. The state Epidemiologist's and the Rapid response team has also begun the training of more frontline Health workers on testing for COVID-19 since they are expected to test all those who come into their health facilities before treatment.

The Honorable Commissioner for Health is using the medium to advocate to Cross Riverians to take the vaccines and stay protected as all those who have died of COVID-19 or have come down with very severe forms of the disease are people who have never taken the vaccines. Don't gamble with your life; get vaccinated immediately! Vaccines are limited!

Covid-19: C'River begins vaccination of Second dose

As the Presidential Steering Committee on covid-19 announced new guidelines to mitigate the spread of the dreaded decease, the Cross River State Government has also commenced the second round of the Covid-19 Vaccination exercise.

This was made known by the Director General of the State's Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr. Mrs Janet Ekpenyong. According to a statement signed by the DG, the exercise kicks off from May 26th 2021 with a state flag off at the Primary Healthcare Centre Ediba by 10:00 am Prompt.

The statement added that all eligible individuals who have had their first doses are expected to return to their vaccination sites or the nearest  Government Healthcare facility for the second dose of the astrazeneca vaccine.

While asking individuals to kindly check their vaccination cards for the date slated for their second dose and ensure they visit the health facilities to receive the second dose to gain full protection against COVID-19.

"The eligibility period between the first and second doses of the vaccine is between 6-12 weeks as advised  by the World Health Organization and other health regulatory bodies. Covid-19 Vaccination is free, safe and Effective."

The statement reads in part. 

CRSPHCDA and Akpabuyo LGA to Collaborate for Effective Healthcare Coverage For Citizens

The Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency and Akpabuyo Local Government Area are set to collaborate to build an effective and efficient healthcare system for the benefit of the people.

This was part of the deliberation met when the Director-General of the Cross River State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Janet Ekpenyong paid a courtesy visit to the newly elected Chairman at the council's Secretariat in Ikot Nakanda.

The DG who said for a healthy society and a functional system, all parties must work together in harmony to make policies that will provide first-class health services to the people especially those in the grassroots.

The DG who further admonished the Chairman to maintain the momentum already established in the area council on promoting quality and effective healthcare services urged him to lend his voice to the global pandemic which has hit the world and other diseases which is predominant in the area council.

In his response, the Executive Chairman of Akpabuyo Local Government Area, Honourable Emmanuel Bassey who praised the diligent nature of the DG, thanked her for the visit and the support which the Agency has provided for dwellers in the LGA.

He, therefore, pledged his resolve to prioritize healthcare services in the LGA as he said he is ready for a fruitful collaboration in the nearest future which he believes will impact the lives of his people.

"In Akpabuyo, one of the most critical sector that must be attended to is the health of our people, and I must commend you for championing a great fight in meeting the health needs of our rural people

Sure health will be given a greater priority, we are going to continue from where the previous administration stopped and collaborate with your Agency for the benefit of our people".

The chairman who described Akpabuyo as a volatile area thanked the Agency for raising awareness on Covid19 and other diseases, he also said he and his team won't relent in making healthcare accessible to his people.

The visit also saw the Director-General present some personal protective equipment for the council including hand sanitizer, facemask as well as Veronica buckets to halt the spread of the Covid-19 virus.

Present at the meeting were the Director of Local Government health Authority in charge of Akpabuyo(Eyo Ekpenyong), The Head of Local Government Area (HOLGA), and Directors in the Local Government Area.

HEALTH-CARE DELIVERY: CRSPHCDA to partner Municipal Council

L-R: The Mayor Receiving Personal Protective Equipment
from Dr. Janet 

Ukorebi Esien | 10th July 2020, Calabar 

As community health or primary Healthcare becomes the focus of health care delivery worldwide with a focus on universal health coverage, the Director-General of the Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr. Janet David Ekpenyong has called on the leadership of Calabar Municipality for a partnership leading towards effective healthcare delivery in the state capital. 

The director-general of the Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr. Janet Ekpenyong has solicited for a worthy working relationship between the agency and the council for effective healthcare delivery for Cross Riverians.

The DG, who made the appeal during a call on the Mayor of the Municipal Council, Hon. Nta Eke, who was recently sworn into office said, for efficiency in service delivery and dividend to be felt by citizens, the area council as well as the Agency responsible for grassroots mobilization of Healthcare workers must collaborate to ensure that quality services are maintained in line with best global practices.

In his response, the Chairman of Calabar Municipal Council and Mayor of Calabar, Honourable Nta Eke disclosed that Primary Healthcare services are topmost on the council's priority list as he seeks to collaborate with the Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency in adopting its scope of operation to obtain results.

Hon Nta said the Primary Health care Agency has done enormously well in sensitizing Cross Riverians across the state on various covid19 protocols which he said are well adopted in all Local Government Areas today and as such the policies of the agency will be adopted to provide effective, efficient and quality healthcare services to residents of Calabar Municipality.

The Visit saw the presentation of various personal protective equipment to promote hand wash protocols in the council Secretariat and within the area council.

Ekpenyong warns of immenent danger over low reportage of other diseases, except COVID-19

2nd July, 2020, CALABAR 

Since the outbreak of the Covid19 pandemic, little campaigns are been made to promote other services in health institutions which expert says ,could overwhelm the nation if urgent steps are not taken.

This is why the Cross River State Government is calling on operators of different media houses to diversify their focus in their news reporting to create more awareness on other diseases rather than Concentrating solely on the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Director General of the state Primary Healthcare Development Agency Dr.Janet Ekpenyong stated this in a workshop organized for representatives of different media houses on effective ways of reporting  infectious diseases which is still ravaging the lives of citizens.

  

Ekpenyong said, with high mortality rate still reported on other common diseases, the lone attention given to Covid19 may become catastrophic as she said the state and nation cannot afford to handle another pandemic after the ease of the global Corona Virus.

She said part of the attention should be shifted to actualizing a 100% immunization coverage across the state and country on all vaccine preventable diseases still killing children under 5 years old.

Dr. Ekpenyong said the health Sector is leveraging on the media to reach out to those at the grassroots level to visit the hospitals for proper medication as heath workers are available to provide health services with all preventive measures on Covid-19 pandemic put in place.

As Nigeria beat polio, Ekpenyong ascribe feat to Primary Healthcare workers

 

30th June, 2020. Calabar 

The World Health Organization (WHO) recently announced that polio is no longer endemic in Nigeria, leaving the devastating disease endemic in only two countries and bringing the world one major step closer to achieving this goal of ending polio for good.

In celebrating this feat, the Director General of the Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, CRSPHCDA, Dr Janet Ekpenyong ascribed the defeat of the endemic to health workers with particular reference to Health workers in  Primary Health Facilities for their steadfastness and commitments in health care delivery. 

Ekpenyong made the commendation in Obudu Local Government Area of Cross River State while addressing health workers in the just concluded training for health workers on covid19 and other infectious diseases.

The DG who stated that the status is well deserving, congratulated Health workers across the country and in particular staff of the Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency for their worthy and selfless services in reaching out to children across the state.

Dr Ekpenyong said,grassroot health workers are panacea for any nation to attain Universal Health Coverage and thus the worthy accolades being bestowed on them.

She however urged them to expand their scope of coverage and adopt newer techniques to encourage voluntary participation by parents and care givers to bring their wards for other immunization services.

"While some of us were in the office trying to make policies and attend to other administrative duties,you all rode on motor bikes,climbed hills and crossed bridges under harsh conditions to ensure that every child in Cross River State got immunized and the confirmation is that,Cross River State has been declared Polio free and that gave Nigeria the opportunity to attain the Status of a Polio Free Nation.

"Today the nation has been declared polio free and I must congratulate every health worker out there for their dedication and professionalism especially those in Cross River State who have  defiled nature's predictions and ensured 100% immunization coverage.

We all know how difficult our terrains are in Cross River and how unfavorable our weather could be, but all along the way, no health worker has every retired with an excuse." She stated. 

" We as a state can boast of the fact that from the ranches in Obanliku down  to creeks of Ikang in Bakassi Local Government Areas, we have not seen any child with paralysis as an effect to poliomyelitis and its same commitment from our Health workers as we have seen for other vaccine preventable diseases.

"I must thank the state Governor, His Excellency, Senator, Prof. Ben Ayade for facilitating and helping in mobilizing workers through the approval of various incentives to encourage workers move to the hinterlands to get our under 5 immunized.

We have a first lady, Dr Linda Ayade who is also passionate about the lives and health of the people and that has spurred us into making greater achievements in the Health sector.

A thank you too to the Chairman of the state immunization committee, our Deputy Governor, Professor Ivara Esu, for piloting the affairs of the state's immunization exercise and giving clearer leadership contributions which has manifested today.

I also want to use this opportunity to encourage every parent and caregivers  out there to bring their kids and wards out for other immunization exercises which is currently on going in all 196 wards of Cross River State including Measles, Hepatitis, Tuberculosis amongst others". She concluded.

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