Dep. Gov. Esu(M), DG Edu (2nd right), Dr Jessica Kafuko (far left), USAID team, and CRSPHCDA team
Charles Ekanem|4 November 2016
The US Agency for International Development (USAID) yesterday during a courtesy visit to the Governor of Cross River State, Senator (Prof) Ben Ayade rated Cross River State high in Malaria Prevention and Elimination. The Governor who was represented by his Deputy, His Excellency Prof. Ivara Esu lauded USAID for their commitment, steadfastness and responsiveness to fight against Malaria in CRS.
"H.E, Senator (Prof) Ben Ayade is very happy to have you back in Cross River State. He specifically mandated me to welcome you back to the state for the second phase of the project. We acknowledge the personal effort of Her Excellency, Dr Linda Ayade and her daughter Dr. Betta Edu who mediated on behalf the state to you at the US missions. As Government we are committed to the well being of Cross Riverians through quality health delivery and as such the state will continue to support Malaria Elimination programs in the state. We are assuring you that we will make malaria elimination a priority, be assured of our total support and commitment to elimination of Malaria in the state said the Deputy Governor'.
According to the delegation leader, Dr Jessica Kafuko, Senior Malaria Advisor said USAID will begin their second phase project of Malaria Elimination program in the state through the President's Malaria Initiative (PMI) whose goal in the state is to reduce malaria related mortality by 50% through a rapid scale up of four proven and highly effective malaria prevention and treatment measures, Insecticides treated Mosquito nets ITNs, indoor residual spraying IRS, Artemisinin-based Combination therapies ACTs and intermittent Preventive treatment of pregnant women IPTp . She said after thorough assessment of Cross River State especially how the last intervention fund was managed, then progress, identification of gaps and timely intervention of Her Excellency, Dr Linda Ayade, Wife of the CRS Governor, USAID decided to come back to Cross River State to reduce intolerable burden of malaria and help towards the long term goal of elimination. We will be partnering with Cross River State Government on this particular project and at the end of the planning meeting we hope to come out with memorandum of understanding with CRS Government.
Earlier Speaking, DG CRSPHCDA, Dr Betta Edu who stood in for the Hon. Com. For health said the entire state, Agency and good people of Cross River State are very happy to have you back in the state. "Your Excellency the process of bringing back USAID to state succeeded after the timely intervention of the Wife of the Governor, Dr Linda Ayade; who met with the US Mission Director at Abuja Nigeria to present the state malaria plans and seek for President's Malaria Initiative to consider CRS in their second phase. Today USAID have kept to their promise of sending a technical team to come and sign a memorandum of Understanding with the State Government for the new phase. The elated DG informed the Governor that the process will be a smooth one and she's very convinced "ending malaria for good" will be achievable in the near future in CR state.The team later proceeded to the Agency for Need Assessment and Planning Meeting .
Present at the courtesy call was Dr Uwem Inyang USAID, Dr Omini, Director of Public Health SMOH, Dr Ken Ehouzou, Head of UNFPA CRS, Dr Iwara Iwara Director Community Heath/State Program Manager Malaria, Prof. Ezedinachi head of malaria West Africa, Linda Osaji from Society for Family Health and other health stakeholders in the State.
Charles Ekanem
Writes from Calabar
