Eneji Simon Ushie, 30 June 2020
The Director General of the Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr Janet Ekpenyong has Congratulated the state government and its health workers for their steadfastness and commitments as the nation was recently declared polio free NEGROIDHAVEN can say authoritatively.
Ekpenyong made the commendation in Obudu Local Government Area of Cross River State while addressing health workers in the just concluded training for health workers on Covid-19 and other infectious diseases.
The DG who stated that the status is well deserving, congratulated health workers across the country and in particular staff of the Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency for their worthy and selfless services in reaching out to children across the state.
Dr Ekpenyong said grassroot health workers are panacea for any nation to attain Universal Health Coverage and thus the worthy accolades being bestowed on them.
She however urged them to expand their scope of coverage and adopt newer techniques to encourage voluntary participation by parents and care givers to bring their wards for other immunization services.
"While some of us were in the office trying to make policies and attend to other administrative duties,you all rode on motor bikes,climbed hills and crossed bridges under harsh conditions to ensure that every child in Cross River State got immunized and the confirmation is that,Cross River State has been declared Polio free and that gave Nigeria the opportunity to attain the Status of a Polio Free Nation.
"Today the nation has been declared polio free and I must congratulate every health worker out there for their dedication and professionalism especially those in Cross River State who have defiled nature's predictions and ensured 100% immunization coverage.
We all know how difficult our terrains are in Cross River and how unfavorable our weather could be, but all along the way, no health worker has every retired with an excuse.
"We as a state can boast of the fact that from the ranches in Obanliku down to creeks of Ikang in Bakassi Local Government Areas, we have not seen any child with paralysis as an effect to poliomyelitis and its same commitment from our Health workers as we have seen for other vaccine preventable diseases.
"I must thank the state Governor, His Excellency, Senator, Prof. Ben Ayade for facilitating and helping in mobilizing workers through the approval of various incentives to encourage workers move to the hinterlands to get our under 5 immunized.
"We have a first lady, Dr Linda Ayade who is also passionate about the lives and health of the people and that has spurred us into making greater achievements in the Health sector.
"A thank you too to the Chairman of the state immunization committee, our Deputy Governor, Professor Ivara Esu, for piloting the affairs of the state's immunization exercise and giving clearer leadership contributions which has manifested today.
"I also want to use this opportunity to encourage every parent and caregivers out there to bring their kids and wards out for other immunization exercises which is currently on going in all 196 wards of Cross River State including Measles, Hepatitis, Tuberculosis amongst others".
