Charles Ekanem|6 October 2017
As night falls, most of our Primary Health centers were thrown into darkness. Pregnant women were required to bring kerosene as part of their delivery Items. Delivery's at night most times happen with lantern, bush lamps and phone lights as centers were either not connected to national grid or the village didn't even have electricity at all. It affected inflow of mothers to deliver in health centers with skilled birth attendants, with the resultant effect being more cases of maternal mortality in our villages.
Cross River state worked with partners to get in some solar systems to light up our centers, however that was not enough to cover all focal PHCs. The proactive governor went further to fund an increase the number of imported solar systems to cover all focal PHCs in the state. This is in line with his priorities that puts health first when it comes to the welfare of his people.
The additional solar panels system are to provide constant power in all the focal PHCs in the state. Installation has started across the state and as always the digital Director general of rhe Cross River Primary Health Dev. Agency Dr Betta Edu was on hand to train staff on maintenance of the solar systems and supervise staff as the did the installation.
Addressing the media after the inspection of Solar Panel installation at Primary healthcare Center (PHC) Aningije, Director General of Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr Betta Edu said the Governor, His Excellency Senator (Prof) Ben Ayade at the State Exco Chambers handed over 137 solar panel system for some of the focal one PHC per ward across the State. However this was not enough to cover the 196 wards in the state. The Governor has gone further to provide more to cover all the focal PHCs in the state.
Dr Edu noted that what is unique is the fact that our staff are being trained on installation and maintenance and we do it ourselves. "I joined the team to do some! This solar panels are expected to last for 10years minimum, this means this centers will have 24hrs uninterrupted power supply to deliver quality services. It will boast patients confidence as our women will feel more confident coming in to give birth."
According to her installation had started in the North, Central and now they are in Cross River State South.
We are happy that more and more innovations and interventions are coming in to primary healthcare in Cross River State through the effort of the State Government and the support of our innovative development partners said the DG.
Charles Ekanem
Is a Health Reporter
