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By Akpan David, Calabar
Wife of Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River State, Dr Linda Ayade has launched the Injectable Polio Vaccination 2 in Cross River State targeted at 900,000 Children and 300,000 Pregnant Women Targeted.
The launch is under an integrated package of highly cost-effective MNCH services/interventions.
As part of the initiative, women in the state are to benefit from the various forms of Health Interventions which include Nutritional supplements, Delivery Kits, Vaccination, distribution of long lasting insecticide treated net etc in Cross River State to help reduce, if not eradicate completely, the increasing rate of malnutrition, malaria, vaccines preventable diseases amongst other common causes of Maternal and Child Mortality.
The Official Flag-off Ceremony for the 2021 Maternal Newborn and Child Health Week
The initiative took place in Bogobri area of Calabar, a large settlement of Nigerians from the northern part of the country.
Ayade was assisted by the state Health Commissioner, Dr Betta Edu, the CRSPHCDA Director General, Dr Janet David Ekpenyong and other dignitaries.
Ayade declared the commencement of the vaccination exercise and assured families of government’s commitment towards eradicating every vaccine preventable diseases as well as continued fight against common causes of deaths in pregnant women and children.
“The choice of the Hausa-Fulani settlement (Bogobri) was strategic as the government is determined towards closing the ranks in Health Facility utilization by creating awareness on requirements from citizens who before now were constrained.
The governor’s wife insisted that utilization of healthcare facilities for services remains the right thing to do and should be enjoyed by all.
“A healthy Nation is as a result of healthy Children so its better we prevent this diseases than curing. I want to commend the head of the CRS health sector Dr Betta Edu and the DG for working so hard to keep the State safe, reducing major health challenges. This is a clear indication that perfect hands were chosen. Health ministry ranks top in Cross River state!”.
Commissioner for Health, Dr Betta Edu described pregnancy as the most demanding period that requires mothers to get uncompromised access to essential nutrients which are fundamental for their lives and those of their babies.
She charged their husbands to accord them the necessary support and care during and after this period.
“I encourage women to take the responsibility of accessing medical care during pregnancy to help keep them and their babies safe. Husbands need to support their spouses during this period. Our Traditional and Religious leaders need to also see it as a duty to advise pregnant women to always register for antenatal services so they can get medical services like screening for HIV/AIDs, Vaccinations, routine drugs, awareness on Maternal and Child dietary requirements as well as giving birth in the best of facilities under standard professional care.”
She expressed happiness that the state has been polio free for over a decade, and urged stakeholders to give their children the IPV2 to ensure continuous protection against polio.
Also speaking, the Director General of the Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr Janet Ekpenyong described the Maternal Newborn and Child Health Week as a high impact intervention for Mothers and Children which is aimed at bridging the gap in Communities as a result of the minimal access to healthcare services due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
However, she reiterated that this year’s intervention is focused on the rural areas. Dr Ekpenyong intimated the people on the newly introduced Inactivated Polio vaccine 2 by the Federal Government which she said will further help to prevent the Polio virus.
The health authorities have deployed their officials to various communities to create more awareness while women were encouraged to take their children to the closest healthcare centres in order to get access to Vitamin A Supplements for Children under age five, deworming tablets and Immunization to guarantee full Immunity against Childhood killer diseases.
