By Jonathan Ugbal
The Cross River State government has not recorded any new case of polio for 2 years and will roll out a comprehensive family obstetrics and gynaecology service by November in partnership with the Society of Obstetrics and Gynaecology of Nigeria (SOGON) says health commissioner, Inyang Asibong.
Inyang who disclosed these in two separate meetings in Calabar, expressed delight that the state and in extension the country did not register any new case of polio as it gradually inches closer to a polio free certification from the World Health Organization (WHO).
Speaking to WHO and National Emergency Operation Centre representatives, Inyang said that, “Cross River will continue to make remarkable progress by strengthening immunization and surveillance activities to detect reintroduction or re-emergence of the virus.
“The State Government continued domestic funding, the concerted efforts by all individuals, mostly, the donors and development partners has made the interruption of wild polio virus transmission impossible in the country. With the state polio eradication task force and the establishment of (the) Primary Health Care Agency by His Excellency, Governor Benedict Ayade, our vigilance and efforts will continue to keep Cross River (State) and Nigeria polio free”.
In a related development, Asibong while addressing the SOGON delegation led by the Cross River State chapter President, Mabel Ekott assured the body of the state’s readiness to partner with them.
“Maternal mortality is the health indicator with the greatest disparity between developed and developing countries, we are committed to providing comprehensive family centred obstetric services including labor, delivery, postpartum and new-born care.
“As we collaborate, we must take responsibility in research and implement programs to reduce maternal mortality. We must help women to take holistic approach to their health through excellence innovation in patient care, scientific discovery, education and advocacy.
“We plan to collaborate and intervene by instituting the following programs in the state: pre pregnancy counselling, pregnancy care of normal and complicated pregnancies, ultrasound, family planning, reproductive surgery and Cervical cancer screening to about 1.5 millions of women across the three Senatorial district “.