Coco-bassey Esu|17 July 2017
As plans for the implementation of the Cross River State Health Insurance Scheme, AYADECARE, gathers momentum, the State Government recently played host to the Global Director of Health Finance and Governance, the Implementing partner of USAID on Healthcare Financing, Mr Bob Fryatt NegroidHaven can report.
The choice of Cross River State as the only State in Nigeria for the visit was as a result of the success the State has recorded so far in the area of Healthcare Financing and Governance following the mandate of His Excellency, Sen Prof. Ben Ayade, to achieve Universal Health Coverage before the year 2030 target.
In his remarks Mr Fryatt, who visited the Governor upon arrival, expressed his satisfaction at the level of preparedness and commitment shown by the State Government to commence the CRS Health Insurance Scheme, AYADECARE. He also assured the State of the continuous support of HFG. He thanked the Obong of Calabar and his cabinet for bestowing upon him, the Chieftaincy title of Ada Idagha ke Efik Eburutu, following an advocacy visit to the Monarch.
In other news, the Cross River State Commissioner for Health, Dr Inyang Asibong, has called on residents in the State to join the Family Planning campaign and secure the future of their children. She made the call during the press briefing on the world population organised by the State Government in collaboration with implementing partners in the State.
She said women in the State have access to safe and effective family planning methods as the theme of this year's celebration, Family Planning: Empowering People, Developing Nations connotes.
It would be recalled that the State Ministry of Health and the State Primary Health Care Development Agency in collaboration with UNFPA and Development Options earlier in the week held a sensitization workshop with Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs) in the State as a prelude to the world population day. The meeting saw the Honorable Commissioner and the Director General Primary Health Care Development Agency interact with the TBAs in a bid to get the TBAs in the State to refer their clients to skilled health personnel for Family Planning.
Meanwhile the ongoing Maternal Newborn and Child Health Week has been extended by two days to cover more women and children especially in the hard to reach communities.
Coco-Bassey Esu
Is a Health Reporter and writes from Calabar
