Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency last week received a Canadian volunteer Alexia Krepiakevich from CUSO to support the Agency in grant proposal writing, development, review and implementation of a robust Primary Health Care plan in line with the Sen. Ben Ayade vision in Cross River State.
Speaking, the DG Dr Betta Edu said at a time where the economy of the nation is in recession and donors are becoming fatigued, it has become absolutely important that the agency secure the services of a grant writing expert to help attract more funding for agency programs. Alexia will also support the Agency on health policy planning planning. She pour encomium on Janice Kopinaks the first volunteer that came to the Agency from CUSO to understudy the Agency, its achievements and the administrative aspect of the Agency.
She further thanked the CUSO for the current volunteer Ginette Potentier who has been in the Agency for 2 months now to help in strengthening M&E in the State.
Dr Edu stated that with the coming of Alexia, some staff of the agency will be equipped with Grant writing skills. She thanked CUSO program manager on Health, Uko Ekott for their great support to the Agency while assuring them of continuous good working relationship until Cross River State achieved Universal Health Coverage.
Earlier Speaking, Uko Ekott from CUSO said Alexia is here to Support review of Primary Health Care Operational Plan and the alignment of operational plan with the State Health Strategic Development Plan while supporting the organizational capacity development of partners to ensure Gender mainstreaming and social inclusion in activities and plans. He added that a little support to the development of monitoring and evaluation systems will be offered by her.
According to him their partnership is evolving and very rewarding and in years to come people will be very health conscious while we prepare for a generation free from all health issues for our unborn children.
Also Speaking, the Board Secretary, Dr Eric Edrah join the DG and the entire management staff of the Agency to welcome her to the State and Calabar precisely by saying Calabar is actually a Place to Come And Live And Be At Rest. He assured her of maximum Security through out her stay in Calabar.
Responding, the Volunteer Alexia Krepiakevich said she was happy to be in Nigeria, Cross River State and Calabar precisely to offer technical assistance on the agency’s Policies and grant writing. She looks forward to learning from everyone.
“People get to ask why Canadian Government keep sending volunteers to work in Africa, but the truth is volunteering and assisting other countries is one of the main priorities of Canadian Government said Alexia. I will offer my best to help the State achieve beyond their target.
The DG, Dr Betta Edu had earlier signed an acceptance agreement at CUSO office for the engagement of Alexia Krepiakevich for 6 months before the official welcoming at the Agency.
Present at the meeting were key management staff of the Agency, Dr Asuquo Ekwe the Acting Director Community Health/ State Malaria Elimination Program, Head of PRS, Mr Augustine Ekereke and others.
