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Tag: Inyang Asibong

  • Ex-commissioner donates to Cameroonian refugees in Cross River

    The immediate past Commissioner for Health in Cross River State, Dr Inyang Asibong, on Sunday donated food and other items to Cameroonian refugees in the state to mark the 2019 Day of The African Child.

    The theme of this year’s is, “Humanitarian Action in Africa: Children’s rights first’’.

    Asibon, donated food items such as indomie, beverages, rice, toiletries, insecticides nets and drugs to children at the refugee settlement in Ogoja local government area of the state.

    She said that the gesture was to give hope, love and care to the African child in despair.

    She said that the theme was timely in view of the humanitarian call for assistance for those in crisis and violence situations.

    According to her, there was no better way to celebrate the African child than visiting the camp to donate food items and other materials to the refugees with a view of giving them a sense of belonging.

    Read Also: Williams, Bassey are Cross River Speaker, Deputy Speaker

    “The theme for this year is actually humanitarian aid and I think there is no better place to celebrate the African Child than the refugee’s camp where we have over 27,000 Cameroonian refugees.

    “We are here to celebrate the children; we came with a lot of items for them in other to add to their nutritional value. We have checked the children and found out that more is needed to beef up their nutritional value.

    “With the support of the Cross River Government and the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), we are doing our best in ensuring that the refugees get their basic needs, shelter and food.

    “We are here also to boost their morale; we know what is means to leave your ancestral home to an unknown place,’’ she said.

    The former Commissioner advised the children to have a positive outlook towards life, and urged them to be of good conduct in the settlement.

    Acting Director General of Cross River State Emergency Management Agency, Mr Princewill Ayim, said that the state government was doing its best in supplying the refugees with food, drugs, security and shelter.

    Ayim, who said that the African Child needed support and educational development to build a good society, called on the federal government and other donor agencies to support the state government in the running of the refugee settlement.

    “The future is all about the children, the way we take care of the children is the same way our future will look like. We need to educate them properly and also teach them good morale for the growth of the society,’’ he said.

    He said the number of Cameroonian refugees was increasing daily, and that the settlement has been over stretched.

    “For now, the state government and the UNHCR have created some extra settlement so that we can relocate some of the refugees because if we allow the number to keep increasing, they could be an outbreak of diseases.

    “The state Governor, Prof. Ben Ayade is a humanitarian, he is not taking any chances in ensuring that the welfare and health needs of the refugees are met,’’ he said.

     

  • C/River donates to victims of tanker explosion

    The Cross River Government has donated medical equipment to the emergency ward of the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH) to aid the victims of the fuel tanker explosion.

    The equipment included cartons of intravenous fluids, hand sanitizers, wound dressing equipment among others.

    The State Commissioner for Health, Dr Inyang Asibong, who donated the equipment to the hospital on Saturday in Calabar, described the incident as `tragic and sudden’.

    Some people were confirmed dead on Friday night at Odukpani local government area when an explosion occurred while they were scooping fuel from a fallen tanker laden with petroleum product.

    Asibong said that the visit to the hospital was to access the situation and donate the equipment for the treatment of the survivors.

    She explained that as soon as the victims were brought into the hospital, the ministry had to mobilise its personnel to join their colleagues in the UCTH to respond timely to the victims.

    “We don’t have the exact number of casualty at the moment, but I know that we have lost a dozen of them due to the explosion.

    Read Also: NSCDC trains 70 security guards in C/River

    “As a state, we are sad over the death of dozens of persons who lost their lives while trying to scoop fuel from a fallen tanker at Odukpani.

    “People must stop the act of scooping fuel whenever a tanker falls in their area. Many persons have died in the past through this.

    “We would do everything possible as a state to make sure that we don’t lose these ones,’’ she said.

    The commissioner commiserated with the families of those that lost their lives, praying that the survivors that are currently receiving treatment should not lose their lives.

    She advised residents of the state to always call on competent authorities to manage such emergency cases.

    Prof. Thomas Agan, the Chief Medical Director of UCTH, told NAN in an interview that 18 persons were brought into the hospital on Friday night.

    Agan explained that out of the 18 victims, 15 were adults while three were children, adding that one victim died on arrival while another one died later at night.

    “As we speak, we have 16 victims in our facility. 18 victims were brought in for treatment and two of them have died.

    “The 16 victims are fairly stable. We need support from corporate bodies, individuals and groups because we have exhausted our internal consumables,’’ he said.

    NAN

     

  • Cross River lauds NGO’s effort to reduce maternal mortality

    The Cross River State Government has lauded Hello Mama, United States Agency for Development (USAID) funded mobile health initiative for its efforts in reducing child and maternal mortality in the state.

    The Commissioner for Health, Cross River State, Dr. Inyang Asibong, while receiving the Hello Mama team in Calabar, said that with their support, the state has recorded significant success in saving the lives of mothers and their babies.

    She expressed gratitude to the team for choosing Cross River and assured them of the state commitment to more collaboration.

    The Project Director, Hello Mama, Mr. Emmanuel Atuma said since 2015, a consortium of partners led by Jhpiego, including Pathfinder International and Praekelt Foundation, began designing a health systems strengthening programme to leverage the unique opportunity of using mobile technology to deliver vital health information to pregnant women, new mothers and their families for behaviour change and generating demand for global services.

    He also stated that the primary aim of the program is to handhold pregnant women and new mothers through their pregnancy and child development, to improve material knowledge and adoption of healthy and safe maternal newborn and child health practices amongst women and their families.

    “Hello-Mama currently has over 40,000 women and their gatekeepers registered in the programme across Cross River and Ebonyi States, where the programme has been piloted. The Hello Mama messages focus on essential topics including pregnancy and infant care, safe delivery, nutrition counseling, HIV management, exclusive breastfeeding and antenatal care visits,” he said.

    The Digital Health Adviser, Pathfinder International, Mr. Ayomipo Edinger said their visit to the state was to know and interact with the beneficiaries of the programme on the impacts created by the Hello Mama Initiative, adding that their partnership with the state is very essential.

     

  • Ayade inaugurates 2017 Calabar carnival village

    Ayade inaugurates 2017 Calabar carnival village

    Gov. Ben Ayade of Cross River on Friday inaugurated the ‘Calabar Municipal Garden’ which will serve as the 2017 Calabar Carnival village.

    Ayade said the village was chosen because it was central and accessible to residents and tourists.

    The governor, who was represented by Dr Inyang Asibong, the State Commissioner for Health, said the village would serve as venue for funfair and market for Christmas shopping.

    He said that adequate security measures had been taken to safeguard tourists and fun seekers at the village.

    “It is to the glory of God that we have witnessed the first and second dry run of the 2017 Calabar carnival.

    “I wish to declare the 2017 Calabar carnival village open to all. The 2017 carnival will be better and bigger.

    “We have put in place more convenient facilities in this village that would serve the taste of our expected tourists.

    “I wish to assure all those coming in for the carnival of adequate security.

    “Calabar carnival is the largest street party in Africa. It is time for the world to visit Calabar again for that fun fair,’’ he said.

    The governor said that the carnival had promoted unity and created strong relationships between the state and others in Nigeria and the international community.

    The 31-day festival begins on Dec. 1.

    Earlier, Mr Ken Aklah, the Special Adviser on Event Management to Ayade, said that shops in the village had been concessioned to individuals with a view to create wealth.

    “We have segment for food and drinks, recreational centre, Christmas wears and accessories, with good sanitary system and tight security.

    “We also have trash cans in different spots where consumed items can be disposed’’, he said.

    NAN reports that major roundabouts along the carnival routes have been decorated with sparkling colours and lightings, while shops and buildings are being painted with blue and white to reflect the state colours.

    NAN

  • Monkey pox: C/River strengthens surveillance in border communities

    Monkey pox: C/River strengthens surveillance in border communities

    Cross River Government on Sunday said it had strengthened its surveillance team in border communities and all the local governments of the state as Monkey pox outbreak hits some states in South-South.

    The Commissioner for Health, Dr Inyang Asibong, disclosed this in an interview in Calabar.

    “Cross River is not far from other states in the South-South that have witnessed the outbreak, we are working round the clock to prevent the disease in the state.

    “As soon as we heard about the outbreak, we took extra precautions. Already, we have a team set up for infection, disease preparedness and control.

    “We are always on alert and in constant surveillance of any disease outbreak. We have held several meetings with the state epidemiologists because we believe that prevention is better than cure.

    “Currently, we are carrying out sensitisation and advocacy campaigns in communities through community leaders, town announcers and the media,’’ she said.

    Asibong said that the state had also taken proactive measures by dispatching its epidemiological team to strategic areas in the state.

    She described Monkey pox as a rare viral disease transmitted to humans from animals, adding that the first case was noticed in the Democratic Republic of Congo in 1970.

    According to her, infection of the disease results from direct contact with the blood, bodily fluids and muscular injury of infected animals.

    She said that the incubation period ranged five to 21 days.

    According to her, the first five days known as `invasion period’, is characterised by fever, intense headache, swelling of the lymph back pain and others.

    The commissioner also described as false, some online reports alleging that a case of monkey pox had been detected in Okuni Village in Ikom Local Government Area of the state.

    The commissioner also said that security personnel on border areas across the state had been sensitised about the disease.

    She said that an infected person who contacts the disease usually notices symptoms similar to chicken pox and it normally starts from the face, palms and to the sole of the feet.

    “We have informed security personnel to look out for these symptoms and alert us accordingly.

    “The state government is very responsive to cases of disease outbreak and we pray that the recent outbreak of Monkey Pox will not get to Cross River.’’

    NAN

  • Revamp PHCs in your states, Health Minister urges governors

    Revamp PHCs in your states, Health Minister urges governors

    The Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole, has advised governors to revamp and upgrade medical facilities in their respective Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs).

    Adewole gave the advice on Tuesday in Calabar during the Cross River Health Summit, orgnised by the Commissioner for Health, Dr Inyang Asibong.

    The theme of the summit is: “Translating Health Policies and Plans into Action’’.

    The minister said that the advice call became necessary following the dearth of medical facilities in some PHCs across the country.

    He said it was important for state governments to champion the cause of renovating and upgrading medical facilities for them to deliver quality health services to their people.

    “There is no need for states to establish new PHCs; we need to strengthen the existing ones by upgrading the facilities and training of health personnel.

    “The Federal Government will continue to mobilise resources to support PHCs with a view of achieving universal health coverage in the country.

    “The era of federal might is over, states must begin to develop their healthcare centres with a view of attending to the health needs of the people, ’’ he said.

    Prof. Ivara Esu, Deputy Governor of the state said that the present administration in the state commenced the rehabilitation and upgrading of PHCs across the state shortly on assumption of office.

    Esu explained that the state government had constructed modern healthcare centres in the hard-to-reach areas with a view to ensuring universal health coverage in the state.

    According to him, Gov. Ben Ayade places premium on the health sector in the state.

    He also said that the state insurance health scheme, tagged ‘”AyadeCare’’ sought to provide affordable health care service to the people of the state.

    Asibong said that the summit was organised to formulate policies aimed at improving quality health services in the state.

    She further said that the summit, a collaboration with development partners on the way forward, was a respond to the challenges of the health sector in the state.

    “The health workforce system in the state is being strengthened with the lifting off the ban on employment and the recent accreditation of three schools of nursing and midwifery in the state.

    “The high maternal mortality rate, improved maternal wards in hospitals, collaboration with development partners, regulation of Traditional Birth Attendants and others are some of the policies we shall be looking at today,’’ she said.

    She assured that her ministry would not relent in the reduction of maternal mortality , improving family planning and reducing the incidences of HIV-AIDS.

  • Lassa fever kills NYSC member in Cross River

    Lassa fever kills NYSC member in Cross River

    Mr Onwuegbuzie Stanley-Samuel, an NYSC member deployed to Cross River, has died of Lassa fever disease at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH).

    The state Commissioner for Health, Dr Inyang Asibong, who disclosed this to journalists on Friday in Calabar, said that the deceased hailed from Delta and was serving in Obubra before he died.

    Abisong said that the deceased was first admitted at the General Hospital, Obubra, where he was treated for cerebral malaria for one week.

    She said that his condition got worse and he was referred to the UCTH for further treatment while his blood sample was taken to Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital in Edo for diagnosis.

    “The incident started about two weeks ago in Obubra and we all know that the incubation period of Lassa fever is 3-21 days.

    “The deceased is an indigene of Delta State. The last time he travelled to his home in Lagos State was during the Christmas period in December 2016 and came back to Cross River in January 2017.

    “The deceased was living in the corps members’ lodge in Obubra and since he came back in January, he has not left that community

    “Unfortunately, we finally lost him yesterday. Sadly, the corps member contracted the disease in Cross River,” she said.

    Meanwhile, Dr Thompson Igbu, Coordinator, World Health Organisation (WHO), Cross River has assured the residents that the organisation had been working hard to prevent further spread of the disease.

    Igbu said that the organisation was working closely with the state Ministry of Health to curb further spread of the disease in the state.

    According to him, over 15 persons, including the deceased colleagues living in the NYSC lodge in Obubra, had been line-listed.

    “We have line-listed over 15 persons in Obubra who are `primary contact’ and the hospital where the deceased was first admitted has also been line-listed.

    “We are supporting the state with essential drugs and we are making sure that necessary steps are taken to curb further spread of the disease’’, he said.

    Dr Ngim Ogbu, Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee, UCTH, said that the the corps member`s  death was the second recorded case of death resulting from Lassa fever in the hospital.

    Ogbu said that the infection control unit of the hospital was on top of the case from the beginning by limiting the number of contacts.

    “The body of the deceased has not been sent to the mortuary, this is because we are taking measures to curb further spread of the disease’’, he said.

     

  • Police in C/Rivers arrests suspect in food poisoning case

    The Police Command in Cross River has confirmed the arrest of a 35-year-old man, Paul Nchui, for allegedly poisoning food at a restaurant in Ogoja.

    ASP Irene Ugbo, the State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), confirmed the arrest in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Calabar.

    NAN recalled that the incident occurred on March 24 at Oboso community in Ogoja Local Government Area and left two persons dead while 44 others were hospitalised at the Ogoja General Hospital.

    The restaurant owner, Mrs Anna Erah and her husband, Mr Edward Erah, died shortly after eating the food.

    NAN reports that the suspect was reportedly seen by many people at the scene of the crime

    “I wish to inform you that one Mr Paul Nchui, a suspect who poisoned a restaurant in Oboso community in Ogoja has been arrested.

    “The suspect is in our custody, we will charge him to court as soon as we conclude our investigation,’’ Ugbo said.

    The PPRO, who told NAN that the suspect had confessed to the crime, however said that some victims of the food poison have been discharged after treatment.

    Dr Inyang Asibong, the State Commissioner for Health, also told NAN that symptoms displayed by the victims included vomiting, foaming in the mouth, body weakness and spitting of blood.

    “We have dispatched a team of epidemiologists, doctors, community health workers and other related health staff to the affected community.

    “They are to ascertain the real situation on ground and offer immediate medical assistance to all those affected by the poison,” she said.

    Mr John Inaku, Director General, Cross River State Emergency Management Agency, also assured the victims of the State Government’s support.

    He commended the management of the Oboso hospital for their prompt response in evacuating the victims to the Ogoja General Hospital for treatment.