By CrossRiverWatch admin
Officials from the Clinton Health Access initiative have conducted a mid-year evaluation on the uptake of newly introduced pneumococcal conjugate vaccine in the state. The one month exercise is an independent state wide evaluation carried out by partners.
While briefing the Director General of the Cross River State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Betta Edu, and the State Immunization Officer, Mrs. Felicia Eyaba, at the end of the exercise, the team lead Dr. Tolu said the uptake of PCV in the state is high compared to other states where it has been introduced.
She noted that in all health facilities visited, there was no issue with mothers accepting that PCV be given to their children.
She commended the state for the seamless way in which the cold chain system works and how easy it was for health workers to pick up this vaccines from central cold store and maintain their potency till the deliver them to the children at various facilities.
She commended the health team for ensuring that there was no vaccine stock-out found in any facility visited. She noted that this was a huge challenge in many other states where they visited.
However she noted that data reporting was faulty in some health facilities and more on-the-spot checks must be done to correct this. She also advocated for more community outreach and sensitization as beneficial inputs.
Responding, Dr Betta Edu DG, CRSPHCDA thanked the team for coming to evaluate the work done to improve PCV coverage in Cross River State. She explained that pneumococcal conjugate vaccine used to protect infants, young children, and adults against disease caused by the bacterium Streptococcus pneumonia (the pneumococcus) is of immense importance to the state.
She further noted that pneumonia is one of the major killer diseases of children, as such Senator Ben Ayade is doing everything possible to ensure the state has less mortality associated with pneumonia.
She commended the effort of government in providing funding for logistics that have led to the seamless picture the CHAI team got from the field.
“The government of Senator Ben Ayade has health of its citizens as its number one priority. It has shown 100% commitment in bringing quality health care delivery to its people. Our Commissioner for Health Dr. Asibong has strengthened several health policies that have made our health system better.
“For us at the Agency, immunization is one of our flagship programs and we strive to improve on it to ensure every child living in Cross River State has access to potent life saving vaccines, with emphasis on those at hard to reach areas”
She further noted that the agency is shifting from emphasis on immunization campaigns to routine immunization services in all our facilities.
“The Governor has instructed that we intensify community outreaches and that is ongoing. Furthermore, the first phase of data training has been done by EUSign to strengthen immunization services. The step down training will follow suit almost immediately.
“Pneumococcal conjugate vaccines are available in many facilities across the state. Mothers should get their children immunised to prevent pneumonia which can cause death of the child.” She said.
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