Charles Ekanem|14 January 2016|10:40am
☆Family Health International (FHI-360) paid an advocacy visit to the S.A on Community Health as they seek for sustainable partnership with the state Government.☆
A team of Family Health International (FHI-360) yesterday 13th January, 2016 visited Dr. Betta Edu, S.A on Community Health to the digital Governor, Prof. (Sen.) Ben Ayade to formally inform her of their programmes so far in the state partaining to quality HIV/AIDS service delivery to the targeted people for free. Mr Nelson Ukeh, one of the FHI-360 delegates intimated the S.A on their achivements, challenges and sustainability of the project in the state.
On their achievements, he disclosed that 467 health facilities in the state have FHI-360 presence. He noted that they are present in the 18 LGA's of Cross River State. He stated that their priority LGA's were Calabar South and Calabar Municipality Local Government Areas because of their high prevalence. He said all proactive efforts are channelled to this LGA's to ensure a drop in HIV & AIDS prevalence and epidemic control in the state. He noted that the organization have carried out capacity building on HIV/AIDS services as well as Monitoring & Evaluation training across the state.
On their challenges, Mrs. Nnennaya Igwe, SPO drew the S.A's attention by demanding for a generator to enable diagnostic machines in Ekpo Abasi Model PHC to be effectively used for quality healthcare delivery. Part of their challenges, according to her, includes lack of basic information exchange with the healthcare system of the state. She pleaded for FHI-360 to be taking part in their monthly partners meeting and departmental meetings to enable them be on same page with the department to actualize their set goals in quality healthcare delivery.
On the sustainability of the programme, Mr. Olumuyiwa Onionaiye, Pharmacist FHI-360 informed the S.A that 202 health facilities are to be handed over to the state Government for sustainability as they thanked the state Governor Prof (Sen.) Ben Ayade for the great jobs he is doing in the health sector so far. In their partnership pledged to the department, FHI-360 said their organization will be willing to support and assist the department in relevant areas as back up for quality healthcare delivery in the state.
The S.A louded the great efforts and achievements so far exhibited by the organization in the state even though Community Health and Primary Healthcare Department, she noted, have not formally taken over HIV/AIDS services in the 202 primary healthcare facility they wish to return to the state. She advised the organization to officially notify the State Governor on the need for the state to continue from where they stopped at these PHC facilities. Finally she charged them to continue providing free HIV/AIDS service coverage beyond Calabar Metropolis to prevent resurgence of the epidemic in other LGAs across the state. In a quick reponse, Mr Nelson Ukeh explained to the Special Adviser on their coverage which include health centres in Ogoja, Ikom and Obudu axis. He used the medium to inform the S.A about USAID visit to the Cross River State, and invited her for the meeting with the Governor.
Director of PHC, Dr. Ana advise them to put up a memo with their demands for consideration by the Department and state Government. The S.A further reassured them that appropriate measures are on ground to encourage effort of healthcare partners in the state.
Charles Ekanem
P.A Media and Publicity to the S.A on Community Health to the Governor of CRS