Ntem Chris.
With WHO determined to immunize 33 million children between 2023 – 2025 in Africa so as to achieve 2030 global immunization goals, the cross river state government has through the State Primary Health Care Development Agency under the amiable leadership of Deaconess Mrs Abasioffiong Offiong today marked the African Immunization Week, the Agency had its yearly Immunization Sensitization walk which kickedoff at Rabanna Roundabout through Watt Market and culminated at Government Technical College Mayne Avenue Calabar.
Speaking during the event, the Health Commissioner Dr. Janet Ekpenyong commended the effort of the state governor Sen. Prof. Ben Ayade for remaining committed towards procuring the needs of the health sector. “As a State, we’re blessed to have Sen. Prof. Ben Ayade as governor, he has until date kept the health sector as his number one priority putting into consideration the importance of the health of cross riverians as such we cannot thank him enough.
Our partners especially WHO, UNICEF, amongst others i must confess are the reason why we’ve come this far. I can’t end without commending the outstanding and giants efforts of the DG Deaconess Abasioffiong for being pragmatic and outstanding as from her appointment till date she has left no stone unturned and has given in her best to compliment, sustain and add to the work we did while here. All our children will be immunized and that will be done consciously and timely.”
On her part, the Agency’s Boss Mrs Abasioffiong Offiong extended her appreciation to the health pro governor and his dear wife as well as partners and all staff of the agency not undermining the support and cooperation gotten from parents especially mothers. “That we’re at this top level is because of our health pro Governor Sen. Prof. Ben Ayade and his dear wife Dr. Linda Ayade, the support towards the health sector is one compared to none, they both have proven to cross riverians that indeed health is wealth and i cannot thank them less.
Out implementing partners have been with us through thick and thin, supporting us back to back from the push towards getting vaccines, to their arrival and ensuring smooth storage and distribution, we would not have wished for any other than WHO, UNICEF, Breakthrough Action, and all others whom I cannot mention because of time. I want to specially appreciate my Permanent Secretary Dr. Ayi, and my entire staff for the support and to our parents especially mothers i say thank you.
As the Commissioner has stated earlier, no child in CRS will be left unimmunized as if you don’t come to us we’ll come to you not for any reasons but because we value the life of every child in this state. We have enough of the vaccines to go round so we have nothing to worry about.”
The event featured Immunization of Children and pregnant women with calls for mothers and pregnant women in the state to ensure that they get themselves and their children in the state immunized against immunization preventive diseases, Mothers who turned out for the event also received gifts of pampers for their babies. Speeches also came in from the representative of the World Health Organization Dr. Olatunde Yewande Rebecca amongst others.
While speaking to the press, one of the beneficiaries thanked the government of His Excellency Sen. Prof. Ben Ayade and especially the Health Commissioner and the DG for ensuring that both children and pregnant mothers in the state are kept safe.