Eneji Simon Ushie|16 April 2020
The Primary Healthcare Centre Kasuk, Akwa Ikot Efanga and 6 others in three Local government areas of Cross River have benefited from the benevolence of Lafarge Nigeria Plc through the distribution of personal protective equipment (PPE) and infrared non contact thermometers in the fight against Covid19.
The head of the delegation who made the donations on behalf of the company said it was a way of giving back to society in which they operate from and an assistance to the state government in the fight against Covid19. He said the company found the efforts of the Cross River State Government commendable as it has maintained a negative status even as other border states and country have recorded cases and hence the need to partner with the state to maintain the status.
He further admonished the Health workers to make judicious use of the equipment and materials for the welfare of the members of the community in which they serve while also assuring the state and the Primary Healthcare Development Agency of an improved partnership in line with the Senator Professor Ben Ayade's vision of improving the healthcare needs of the people.
"In view of what we know that is happening globally,which is covid19,our community relations unit in Lafarge deemed it fit to take the awareness on covid19 to communities in which we operate and that is why we are using healthcare facilities as points of interests to reach members of the community.
"We are here to support the efforts of government, to see how we can heighten the level of awareness creation to ensure that the virus doesn't come to our state,and one of the way we can achieve this is to make sure everyone is aware of what he or she is expected to do", he added.
Receiving the items on behalf of the Cross River State Government, the Director General, Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr Janet Ekpenyong, who appreciated the group for their support especially in this trying times,noted that efforts and contributions like this will assist the state government in fighting different epidemics especially now the world is faced by the novel Corona virus.
She disclosed that the state Governor Senator professor Ben Ayade having invested hugely in the health sector prior to now,has shown great leadership qualities in the fight against Covid19 by adopting preventive approaches through sensitization and enlightenment using various means of information dissemination by setting up a response team headed by the commissioner for Health,mobilization of the team,the shutting down of the state borders(inter state and international borders) and the provision of various personal protective equipment for usage by citizens.
"Globally we are faced by the Covid19 pandemic and Nigeria is not left behind,the good thing is that here in Cross River ,we have not recorded any case and base on the effort of the state government in the fight against this disease and through the contributions of some organizations like Lafarge who is identifying with the state to see how we can maintain the free status,we are glad to receive these materials .Today Lafarge have decided to render support to the state government through the Primary Healthcare Agency as they have donated some personal protective equipment to our facilities to see how we can continue help prevent infectious disease to ensure that before patients access our facilities, they will have their temperature checked, hands washed or sanitized before they can be attended to.
"We are happy that the state Governor, Senator Professor Ben Ayade and the state have chosen prevention as our approach and that is why our borders are shut,as you all know, we are bounded by Akwa Ibom state with confirmed cases, Benue as well and even our international neighbours Cameron who have huge incidences which are of concern to our state.
"The government of Cross River State will ensure to support and partner with organizations like Lafarge by providing enabling environment for them to work in the state".
She however call on well to do individuals and organization to support government through the provision of social and welfare supports especially to their constituencies has she noted that the fight against Covid19 can only be won collectively.
Lafarge Nigeria PLC is an indigenous company that specializes in the manufacturing of quality cements with a huge market and patronage across the south south region of Nigeria.
