Charles Ekanem|15 September 2017
As part of efforts to boost healthcare provision for women and children in Cross River State and Nigeria as a whole, Cross River State Governor, Senator (Prof) Ben Ayade yesterday announced 1 billion Naira for referral hospitals that would expand access to quality health care will catering for health needs of mothers and children
Pre-natal screenings to more than 200,000 expectant mothers across the State will be achieved through the 50 ultrasound scans Supported by General Electric (GE) and facilitated by National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA). It will aid pre-natal screening where complications can be identified on time. This will go along way to reduce the rate of maternal mortality in the State.
Speaking, His Excellency, Prof Ben Ayade noted that nothing brings life and joy to people like affordable healthcare. He said welfare of the citizen is the primary objective of government and by that Cross River State priority is to ensure people have access to basic healthcare.
He urge the donor agencies not to relent in their effort to support the state as issues of counterpart funding and the change of law governing Cross River State School of Nursing will be address with immediate effect.
The Governor noted that AYADECARE program is born out of philosophical African aesthetics stand of giving a brother a shoulder to lean on. Where the strong can pay for the week. He is confident that after completion of the referral hospital people can be referred from Primary Health Care centers to Ayade centers for treatment at no cost.
Earlier Speaking, Dr Inyang Asibong said Cross River State health sector have broken all barriers and stumbling blocks to achieve so much in the past two years as statistics have clearly shown that a lot of health indices have been reduced such as maternal mortality.
She listed out several giant stride which the health sector have accomplished such as launching of 9 health policies of the State during the State Health Summit.
Also Speaking to press, Dr Betta Edu said the Healthy imagination Mother and Child Initiative will help reduce preventable mother and infant deaths in Cross River State. She said for the first time low and middle skilled staff are being trained to use ultrasound machines to monitor pregnant women and their unborn babies. Presently midwives, nurses and community health extension workers are being trained in the use of the portable ultrasound (Vscan Access) screening tool to determine at risk pregnancies.
Dr Edu said the program is targeted to reach out to more than 200,000 expectant mothers across the State. Also 137 Primary Health Care facilities will be receiving constant power supply through the solar systems.
She assured the partners that the Agency will mobilize communities to utilize services, while monitoring successful use of equipment in Cross River State.
According to Head of GE delegation, Mrs Chinedu Ugo, “The Healthymagination initiative will target 1300 midwives and pre-natal primary health caregivers with over 100,000 hours of training over the next three years in maternal and child health care in Nigeria.
Part of the items unveiled by the Governor where customized phones for over 1000 health centers, solar systems and a lot more.
The launching featured development partners, members of hospital management board, Board members of the primary Health Agency and civil society organizations.
Charles Ekanem
Is a Health Reporter
