Charles Ekanem|27 February 2018
In response to health challenges faced by the refugees moving into Nigeria due to crisis in Southern Cameroun; His Excellency, Senator ( Prof) Ben Ayade has provided space for refugees in Cross River State.
This was made known during a Minimum Intervention Service Package (MISP) and Clinical Management of Rape Training for Health Workers and First Responders (40) from 5 Local Government Areas organized by Cross River State and facilitated by Nigerian Red Cross Society (NRCS) and United Nations Population Fund ( UNFPA).
Speaking, Director General of Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr Betta Edu said the state governor has decided to give support to refugees irrespective of the Federal Government assistance by providing a space for them and improving on health services at PHC facilities in communities where they presently reside.
She charged the health workers to be proactive as they go into the field and ensure measles vaccines are given to the children at the border and all the locations of asylum seekers.
Dr Edu urged them to focus on children at the age of 9 months and 59 months ( 5 years old).
She noted that over 50% registered refugees are children and for that all hands must be on deck to make sure these children are vaccinated.
Also Speaking, Head of UNFPA Sub Office in Cross River State, Ken Ehouzou who spoke on behalf of UNFPA Representative, Dr Diene Keita said UNFPA is interested in providing support to the most vulnerable and will continue to support the refugees in collaboration with UN family especially UNHCR, SMOH and PHCDA, Red Cross Society and the foot soldiers who are the health workers.
He assured that more responses will be received especially in provision of medical supplies, delivery kits, reproductive health services, safe spaces for women and girls and most importantly, build institutional capacity to respond to the humanitarian situation.
Earlier Speaking, Head of Healthcare NRCS, Dr Ibrahim Ibrahim lauded the Cross River State Governor for accepting the Camerounians to find refuge in Cross River State. He commended the DG Betta Edu for her proactive steps towards ensuring the welfare of the refugees improve.
Present at the training was, Dr Comfort Ekanem who represented the Honourable Commissioner for Health, Dr Inyang Asibong and other program managers from UNFPA and NRCS.
Charles Ekanem
Writes from Calabar
