The Cross River State Government is dedicated to the health of its residents, which is why it is extending the Immunisation Plus and Malaria Progress by Accelerating Coverage and Transforming Services (IMPACT) project to all the 196 wards in the state.
During a one-day advocacy and sensitization meeting in Calabar with Local Government Chairmen, health Supervisory Councillors, traditional leaders, and other stakeholders, the state Commissioner for Health, Dr Henry Egbe Ayuk, emphasised this commitment.
The IMPACT project aims to enhance the delivery of malaria prevention and treatment services, particularly in rural areas where malaria poses the highest risk in Cross River State.
Ayuk emphasised the need for prompt action among attendees during a meeting similar to those held in the other two senatorial districts (north and central). He stated, “We have an important task before us, and we need to speed up implementation; the Project Implementation Unit and the Ward Development Committee (WDC) must work together efficiently to achieve our goals.”
He praised the Governor for backing the project, particularly through the release of counterpart funds intended to decrease malaria prevalence in the state, reflecting the government’s commitment to improving healthcare and safeguarding citizens’ health.
Dr Vivien Mesembe Otu, the Director General of the Cross River State Primary Health Care Development Agency, pointed out that the IMPACT project consists of four components: malaria, immunization, knowledge for change, and emergency response, all aimed at reducing infant and maternal mortality rates in the state and across the nation.
“We need your support to fulfil our mission. We cannot engage with communities effectively without your involvement, which is why we seek your partnership to ensure smooth interactions when we reach the communities,” she noted.
She called for collaboration among all stakeholders, development partners and the general public to continue the fight against malaria to achieve a malaria-free Cross River State and Nigeria.
The IMPACT project is a joint effort with the State Ministry of Health and the State Primary Health Care Development Agency.
Providing insights into the project, Dr. Paul Odey, the Cross River State IMPACT Project Manager, represented by Ifere Obeten, stated that the World Bank is supporting the Nigerian government in strengthening primary healthcare and reducing under-five mortality rates through a Multiphase Programmatic Approach (MPA) intervention.
He elaborated that the IMPACT project represents a significant investment in Nigeria’s health sector, aiming for ambitious improvements in service delivery and health system strengthening.
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