Uche Alexis|24 November 2017
As the Cross River State Government tirelessly push for relief in form of healthcare services for both Refugees and IDPs in the State, the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Inyang Asibong, has received United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), National Commissions for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCRMID) and Rhema Care for their synergy with the State Ministry of Health in providing healthcare services to over 100 Cameroon refugees in the State.
Dr. Asibong made the commendation when she granted audience to the global agency and its international counterpart on refugee management in her office.
She assured them of the Ministry's readiness to coordinate the Primary and Secondary facilities in the local government areas which play host to these displaced persons to ensure effective medical healthcare services to those in need of such services.
In his contribution, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Dr Joseph Bassey, urged both parties to make a formal report of their activities in the State in addition to request for their needs and support available for approval by the Governor.
Earlier the C.E.O Rhema Care, a non-governmental organization giving service to humanity, Mr. Eric Sha disclosed that his organization in partnership with the CRSG are assisting hundreds of Cameroon asylum seekers and refugees at the health facilities in Akamkpa, Boki, Etung, Ikom and Obanliku LGAs.
Corroborating Mr Sha's position the UNHCR Team Leader, Mrs. Bunmi Olaonipekun explained that the synergy has so far tackled a broad range of health issues at Up Ranch Health Center, PHCs in Amana and Utanga, General Hospital Sankwala, Obanliku and Comprehensive Health Centers in the above mentioned LGAs. She clarified that most of the refugees live in camps while others are with host facilities in these locations.
It will be recalled that in recent times there has been influx of asylum seekers and refugees from the Republic of Cameroon in LGAs of the State sharing boarders with Cameroon. Other internally displaced persons are said to be Nigerians currently camped in Akpabuyo and Bakassi LGAs.
Uche Alexis
Writes from Calabar
