Charles Ekanem|6 August 2016
Cross River State Primary Health Care Development Agency in collaboration with Pathfinders International and "WE CARE SOLAR" a United State Based non-profit organization have concluded training and began installation of portable cost effective solar suit case that will power maternity wards in the primary health care centers under the Saving Mother Giving Life (SMGL) program in the state. The training on the installation, use and maintenance of the WE CARE SOLAR SUIT CASE was conducted on the 25-29th July, 2016 at Dannic Hotels. Ekorinim, Calabar.
Major participants were electricians drawn from northern, central and southern senatorial district working with the Agency.
According to the facilitators, Pathfinders International who spoke through their SMGL Desk Officer, Dr Olabode Oyekoya said the essence of the training is to equip program officers, electricians and SMGL state desk officers with knowledge on the solar energy system and how it can be maintained.
Speaking on behalf of the DG CRSPHCDA, Dr Betta Edu, the Desk Officer SMGL in the Agency, Mrs Sally Enyim said the state is very grateful to Pathfinders for successfully implementing the project while assuring them that the State Governor, Senator (Prof) Ben Ayade will continue supporting the organization to actualize their goal in the state by providing enabling environment, security and other logistics dimmed necessary by the partner.
She assured the partners of sustainable and effective use of the machinery in ensuring maternal mortality is reduce in CRS by 2020. While calling on them to increase the number of solar to reach other PHC in the state. Especially the one PHC per ward.
The first two days of the training was focused on theoritical work while practicals was carried out at Pathfinders SMGL supported PHC's in Ikot Offiong Ambai, PHC Idundu Akpabuyo LGA and PHC Odukpani LGA and PHC Akani Esuk.
It was also gathered that training methodologies used included Video demonstration, Illustrative lectures, power point and Skilled demonstration using models.
Charles Ekanem
Is a media aide to the DG, CRSPHCDA
