Tina Ezin, Calabar
The Lion’s Club of Nigeria, District 404, Atakpa division has renovated and handed over Primary Healthcare Centre at Ekeng Ewa to the Cross River State government.
The President of the Club, Mrs. Osadebe officially handed over the facility to the State’s Commissioner for Health, Dr. Betta Edu.
The Facility which was vandalized with some major equipment looted during the #Endsars protest was temporarily shut down due to lack of working equipment.
Speaking on behalf of the State Governor Sen. Prof. Ben Ayade during the event, Dr. Edu applauded the Club for supporting Government and the Community in returning quality Healthcare services to the people. She stated that this and many others are the benefits of Lions Club to the State and Nigeria at large.
“Numerous contributions have been made by this Club to the State Health Sector in the past One year among which are the renovation of the Ediba Primary Healthcare Centre, the renovation of the Eye Care Clinic at General Hospital Calabar and today the Ewa Ekeng Health Care facility amongst others.
“As a State, we’ll continue to ensure that quality health care services are delivered to Cross Riverians while we partner with federal government, individuals and organizations to improve the health infrastructure across our State. We therefore thank and appreciate you for this great support while assuring you that the purpose for which this facility was built in the first place and renovated will always be ensured.
“Our goal is to achieve Universal Health Coverage and we can only achieve that by fixing the Primary health care centres and providing a viable health insurance for all.” The commissioner assured.
On her part, the DG of the Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (CRSPHCDA), Dr. Janet Ekpenyong also assured the Club and members of the Community of an Improved man power deployment to the facility to meet the growing population needs while calling on the Traditional Rulers and Youth leaders to take ownership of the facility by providing adequate and all round security to prevent a recurrence of the destruction which befell the facility in 2020 stating that the facility is to their own advantage.
She urged caregivers to intensify their surveillance in Communities to check for Pregnant women and to encourage them to attend antenatal classes and discontinue the patronage of Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs).
Speaking during the event, the District 404A2 Governor, Mr Sunny Eloma said, the Club’s choice of Healthcare Facility intervention was borne from the numerous achievements and priority the State places on the quality of health services to it’s people.
He assured the Government of the Club’s continued and improved investments into the health sector as he promised an immediate Commencement of work for the Provision of a Two Room Resident for Health Workers, alternative source of power as well as a diabetic center in Ogoja.
In attendance during the event was the Chairman of Calabar South Local Government Area who was ably represented by the Director of Local Government Health Authority, Mrs Emem Achibong, President of Atakpa Lion’s Club, Health workers and Nursing mothers amongst other dignitaries.
