Charles Ekanem|7 July 2017
Governor's wife appeals to mothers to patronise health facilities, shun TBAs and 'prayer houses' during delivery.
Wife of the Cross River State Governor, Dr ( Mrs) Linda Ayade, yesterday at Odukpani Local Government Area, flagged off the First Round Maternal Newborn and Child Health (MNCH) Week in company of the Wife of Cross River State House of Assembly Speaker, Barr (Mrs) Binta Lebo and Honorable Commissioner for Health Dr Asibong and commissioner of Women Affairs, Mrs Stella Odey NegroidHaven can report.
Her Excellency, Dr Linda Ayade while speaking appealed to mothers to shun prayer houses, home or church delivery and start taking advantage of the health facilities as the state intensify effort to end maternal and infant mortality while lauding the support of development partners which according to her shows that success in healthcare delivery is not to be left in the hands of government alone. She called for more support for the Ayadecare program of which one of its component, Home Care Delivery, was launched recently.
She charged mothers and pregnant women not to be too busy when it comes to regular attendance at antenatal clinics, hospital delivery and healthcare of their children by ensuring they are properly immunized against dangerous diseases that could slow their growth and development.
The wife of the digital governor advised the women against home and prayer house delivery, assuring them that God is Omnipresent and Omnipotent as such that wherever you are God will answer your prayers.
Dr Ayade went further to list out the notable strides of Primary Healthcare in Cross River State under the dynamic leadership of His Excellency, Senator ( Prof) Ben Ayade where the state have shown leadership in the country in terms of construction of new health centre in Yache, Yala LGA, installations of direct solar refrigerators across health centers in the State, Employment of Primary Healthcare doctors for 18 LGAs, distribution of medical equipment worth $5,000 to Ikot Offiong Ambai PHC and $100,000 worth of medical equipment to 6 LGAs in the state amongst other just in a bid to improve access of mothers and children to quality health care services.
Wife of the 8th CRS Speaker, Barr. Binta Lebo, who spoke passionately pleaded with women to use free services available to them so they don't not lose their children because it is a very painful experience.
Also Speaking, Dr Inyang Asibong said Maternal mortality is a big problem in Nigeria and Cross River State with the mortality rate of 576 deaths/100,000 life birth being too high is unacceptable. For these reasons the Governor, H.E Senator (Prof) Ben Ayade has provided free services such as immunization, Malaria testing, HIV test, distribution of LLINs, delivery kit and a lot of commodities for our mothers that will be going on concurrently across the 18 LGAs, 196 wards, General Hospitals and PHCs in the state.
Earlier Speaking, Dr Betta Edu, the Director General of Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, said MNCH Week is one week that is packed with a full basket of free services which is targeted at improving healthcare of mothers and children.
"We are grateful to the Governor for making available free commodities for pregnant women and children as they will be receiving free immunization, Malaria test, HIV counselling and testing, free Vitamin A supplement deworming tablets, PMTCT, nutrition classes etc.
She stated that, His Excellency, Senator (Prof) Ben Ayade has resolved to implement Ayadecare which will offer improved access to universal health coverage in Cross River State.
Finally Dr Edu said with these intervention we can save at least 700,000 children under-five who are expected to receive intervention and 568,000 women and new born will have access for free maternal health services for mothers in the next one week and beyond.
Speaking Mrs Ikpeme from Pathfinders International said her organization has made effort with other development partners to make sure these services are given to mothers and their children.
She noted Cross River State is the only state in Nigeria enjoying Saving Mothers Giving Lives Initiatives, this is because the state is highly resolved to reduce maternal and newborn mortality.
Present at the flag off were representatives of UNFPA, Dr Yakubu Aliyu, CUSO, Alexia Krepiakevich, House Committee Chairman on Health, Hon. Dr Ekpo Ekpo Bassey, Permanent Secretary State Ministry of Health, Dr Joseph Bassey, Head of HOLGA Odukpani represented by Hon Ekeng Ita, SSA to the Wife of Governor, Mrs Rosemary Eneji, General Manager of CRBC, Mrs Theresa Essien, Director PHC, Dr Ana Onebiene, State Nutrition Officer, Mrs Regina Adie Director of Admin CRSPHCDA, Head of MDF, Jeffrey Adamade and team Linda Ayade group amongst others.
Charles Ekanem
Is a Health Reporter. He writes from Calabar.
