The State Government and the Director General of the Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr Janet Ekpenyong have been applauded for their immense contributions toward the revitalization of primary healthcare, by making it the most preferred destination for medical emergencies among citizens.
The commendation was made by members of the Forum of Local Government Nurses and Midwives who paid her a courtesy visit in her office to felicitate with her on the numerous achievements being recorded in the Cross River State health sector.
Speaking on behalf of the team, the National President of the Union, Comrade Obafemi Agbede, described the state government’s achievements as giant and monumental, noting that if every state in the federation can emulate Cross River’s operational guide, the goal of attaining Universal Health Coverage will be actualized in record time.
He called on the government to continually improve on the welfare of nurses and midwives in order to spur them to optimal service delivery.
In her response, Dr Janet Ekpenyong thanked the association for the honour bestowed on her and the state, as she praised them for the continuous support to government and all of its health programmes.
According to Dr Ekpenyong, nurses and midwives are pivotal to the functionality of the Primary Healthcare Agency, stating that their engagements in health facilities have helped in the reduction of maternal and child mortality across the state as well as improved client’s patronage.
She said due to the increasing demand for nurses and their services as enshrined in the law binding the Basic Healthcare Implementation, the State has commenced the recruitment of nurses and midwives to man various health facilities for improved services.
She called for stronger collaboration between nurses and other cadre of health workers to avoid tension which sometimes leaves patients vulnerable.
She further celebrated the group and all nurses as they mark the occasion of the 2021 World Nurses and Midwives week, urging them to take cognisance of this year’s theme “Follow the Data” in order to improve on maternal, new born and adolescent health as well as in family and reproductive health.
The forum of Local Government Nurses and Midwives was established in 1996 to improve on the capacity of members, their lives, working condition and welfare of members in the grassroot.
High point of the meeting was the presentation of an award of honour to the state for its contribution to quality healthcare delivery in the country.