Cross River Recorded 92% Immunization Coverage in 2016

By Jonathan Ugbal

The Cross River State Government says it achieved 92 percent immunization coverage in 2016.

This was disclosed last week in Calabar during the flagging off, of the first round of the 2017 National Immunization Plus Days (NIPDS) by the wife of the Governor, Dr. Linda Ayade who said the  state is doing well in the fight against Polio and other vaccinated diseases.

Represented by the Health Commissioner, Dr. Inyang Asibong, Ayade called on Cross Riverians to join the fight in eradicating Polio and commended the efforts of traditional, religious and opinion leaders as well as health workers for aiding the mobilization of people for immunization.

She expressed optimism about the delisting of Nigeria from countries battling with Polio. “I hope that when next (the) WHO comes to access Nigeria in Polio eradication Nigeria will be free and this can be achieved with the effort of everyone,” she said and reiterated government’s commitment to ensuring quality but affordable health care for residents.

Earlier, The Director General of the Cross River State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Betta Edu said the state achieved 92 percent immunization coverage in 2016 which she described as encouraging.

Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mark Echegbe, Dr. Edu expressed hope that by the end of 2017 and the NIPDs, the state will achieve 100 percent coverage.

“The state government has shown commitment to ensuring that Cross River is polio free” Betta said, disclosing that; “The state currently maintains immunization coverage (rate) of 92% (achieved) in 2016.”

She sued for cooperation from all and sundry to ensure that the state achieves 100 percent coverage.

The President of the Rotary Club in the state, Akabom Enebong in his address said immunization was one of the strategies evolved by the Rotary club to eradicate Polio.

Akabom lamented that Nigeria was one of the few countries still endemic with Polio and commended partners and Government for providing logistics to enable health workers reach every nook and cranny of the state for immunization purposes.

Godswill messages were also given by representatives of WHO, Mrs Grace Takon, Mr Ephraim Chukwu from UNICEF, Ginette Potentier a Canadian Volunteer from CUSO, Ward Development Chairman of Kasuk, Hon Ekpenyong Inang, and representative of Chairman House Committee on Health, Hon. Dr Ekpo Ekpo Bassey.