Agency Reporter 

Wife of the Cross River State Governor, Hajia Dr. Linda Ayade has flagged-off the ceremony for the 2021 maternal newborn and child health week.

The event which took place in Bogobri, had in attendance other dignitaries including the Health Commissioner Dr. Betta Edu, CRSPHCDA Director General Dr Janet Ekpenyong, others

Declaring the commencement of both interventions, Linda Ayade 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.

She said, “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.

“A healthy nation is as a result of healthy children so its better we prevent this diseases than curing.

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“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”

The state Commissioner for Health, Dr Betta Edu who described gestation period (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 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’ needs to support their spouse during this period.

“Our traditional and religious leaders needs 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.

“Cross River state has been polio free for over a decade, let’s give our children the IPV2 to ensure continuous protection against polio.

On her part, the Director General, 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.

She noted that this year’s intervention is focused in the rural areas.

Ekpenyong further 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.

Some of the beneficiaries who spoke during the event thanked the Ayade-led adminstration for always reaching out to them regularly to sensitise them as well as providing quality healthcare services in various government owned facilities.