Charles Ekanem|29 June 2016|8:07am
The Cross River State Primary Health Care Development Agency in partnership with Pathfinder International recently completed first phase of training for 50 PHC CHEWs in CRS.
Both bodies are driven by the conviction that all people, regardless of where they live, have the right to decide whether and when to have children, to exist free from fear and stigma, and to lead the lives they choose.
Since 1957, Pathfinder have partnered with local governments, communities, and health systems in developing countries to remove barriers to critical sexual and reproductive health services. Together, they expand access to contraception, promote healthy pregnancies, save women’s lives, and stop the spread on new HIV infections, wherever the need is most urgent. Their work ensures millions of women, men, and young people are able to choose their own paths forward.
As part of the effort to achieved these goal in Cross River State, 22 and 28 Community Health Extensive Workers were trained at Calabar and Ogoja simultaneously on Emergency obstetric and new born care under the "Saving Mother Giving Life" initiative of the organization.
Speaking, the Director General of Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr Betta Edu commended the effort of Pathfinders for the successful training of CHEWs which will ensure quality maternal health services are delivered in PHC.
She also eulogized the effort of the State Governor, Prof Ben Ayade and his wife Dr Linda Ayade for their rapid response in area of maternal mortality in the state, recounting that the delivery kits donated by wife of Governor to various primary health facilities have encouraged more women to come to the PHC and have services of skilled birth attendants, thus reducing maternal mortality in the state.
She said the training was very effective as CHEWs have improved their delivery skills and are more knowledgeable on new born care. According to her this exercise was geared towards reducing maternal and new born mortality and morbidity, she urged all trainees to focus on achieving this set goals to improve maternal health indices in CRS.
Earlier Speaking, Pathfinders International representative, Dr Femi Pius in his remarks noted that before the training, CHEWS were not equipped to handle some of these interventions. She said the training will enable them to be fully capacitated to handle artistic vagina delivery with the use of vacuum extraction, manual removal of placenta and retain products, new born resuscitation and uterotonics, she noted that the aim is to establish a network of health providers and referral process offering affordable antenatal care, emergency obstetric care and family planning services to women.
This partnership also seeks to Strengthen the capacity and linkages between rural private and public sector health providers to offer high quality maternal health care aimed at preventing and treating post-partum Haemorrhage, as well as Improve community awareness regarding risk factors during pregnancy, how to access maternal health services, and how to access emergency transportation.
Challenges observed by the organization at PHC's level were lack of drugs in the facilities despite the free medical care at the PHC's which is making women consider Traditional Birth Attendants for deliveries.
Mrs Sally Enyim pathfinder focal person in CRSPHDA used the medium to encourage the CHEWS to put up good attitude while relating with patients.
Cross River State health sector under the leadership of the Commissioner for Health, Dr Inyang Asibong, is working to reduce maternal mortality. We encourage every woman to deliver with skilled birth attendants at health facilities.
Charles Ekanem
Is the media aide to the DG, CRSPHCDA
