Charles Ekanem|5 December 2016
“I AM ALSO BANKING ON TRADITIONAL RULERS TO ENSURE SUCCESSFUL IMPLEMENTATION OF PRIMARY HEALTHCARE SERVICES IN CROSS RIVER“,—Dr Betta Edu.
Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency has emphasized on the roles of traditional rulers in its effort to reduce maternal and child mortality, implement AyadeCare, improve routine immunization, Polio eradication and rapidly increase access to Diarrhoea treatment using Zinc and Oral Rehydration Solutions (ORS) in communities.
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| Dr Edu demonstrating to the Obong of Calabar, Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu IV |
Hundreds of mothers and children die each year in Cross River from preventable diseases, including maternal deaths due to unsafe delivery at the hands of unskilled birth attendants. In response to this effect the DG has been meeting with traditional rulers across the state to advocate to them on their expected roles in drastically reducing these preventable deaths.
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| Traditional rulers giving rapt attention to Dr Edu’s remark |
Dr Betta Edu said traditional rulers will ensure success of primary healthcare delivery in Cross River if they advocate to their communities ways of reducing these menace, as well as monitor and supervise closely the activities of health workers posted to their communities. Dr Edu appealed to the royal fathers to educate and mobilize their people to benefit from the revitalization brought to bear by Sen. Ben Ayade Governor of Cross River State. This she said will ensure the success of primary healthcare programme implementation in their localities. This appeal was made first during the visit to the Palace of the Obong of Calabar.
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| Chief Dr. Charles Ephraim addressing during the visit of Dr Edu to the Efut Clan |
She expressed delight at the drastic decline of Polio cases in Nigeria, attributing it to the support of the traditional leaders.
“We would like the traditional institution to step up their support to end maternal mortality, Eliminate Childhood killer diseases like Diarrheal and other vaccine preventable diseases in Nigeria”. According to her we must buildup demand among the people, caregivers and supervise health providers to ensure supply, this she said can be done by ensuring widespread of information to their people.
“We would like the traditional institution to step up their support to end maternal mortality, Eliminate Childhood killer diseases like Diarrheal and other vaccine preventable diseases in Nigeria”. According to her we must buildup demand among the people, caregivers and supervise health providers to ensure supply, this she said can be done by ensuring widespread of information to their people.
She commended traditional leaders for their contributions to the health development in Cross River and Nigeria at large particularly Polio eradication by asking traditional leaders not to relent in their efforts to check the transmission of Wild Polio Virus as well as strengthening routine immunization.
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| Dr Edu addressing traditional elders on the Zinc ORS medication against Polio |
“In the past, traditional rulers have been so supportive to the fight against maternal mortality, routine immunization, Polio eradication and the used of ZINC ORS in health facilities, that is why we are here to strengthen that relationship and synergy”, said the DG. “As the maternal New born and Child Health Week is starting from 12 – 16 of December, please mobilize your people to benefit”, she continued.
The DG since her assumption of office has been able to reach out to traditional rulers in all the 18 LGAs of the state in a bid to galvanize their support to deliver quality and effective primary health care in the state.
Charles Ekanem
Writes from Calabar
Writes from Calabar
