Admin|2 April 2016|9:50pm
The Director General of the Cross River State primary Health Care Development Agency Dr. (Mrs.) Betta Edu has assured Cross Riverians that the government of Sen. prof. Ben Ayade will not relent in its efforts to tackle the issue of maternal mortality in the state. She stated this when she paid an advocacy call to His Royal Highness Muri Etim Okon Akpandem of Efut Uwanse Clan following the death of a woman in his clan who died while delivering in a prayer house.
She called on the palace to advocate to women to stop patronising unskilled birth attendants. She further stated that any TBA or prayer house that does not refer pregnant women who come to them for delivery to the nearest health facility will face the full weight of the law if such a woman dies in her custody.
She was in the company of the Chairman of Calabar South Hon. Mrs. Majore Asuquo who equally spoke passionately to gate keepers seeking their support to combat maternal mortality and get every child in Calabar South immunised. After the advocacy call, she had a town hall meeting with women of Calabar South, discussing on the importance of attending antenatal clinics and delivering in a health facility.
She appealed to women to stop patronising TBAs, prayer houses and some churches for delivery as this culture has led to a sudden surge in maternal mortality in CRS. She noted that the Governor Sen prof Ben Ayade and his Wife Dr. Mrs. Linda Ayade are working tirelessly in collaboration with the health sector to reduce maternal and under Five deaths in the state.
Charles Ekanem
Media & Publicity Aide to the DG, CRSPHCDA
