CROSS RIVER STATE FLAGS OFF 2ND ROUND MARTENAL NEONATAL TETANUS ELIMINATION CAMPAIGN.

Cross River State Commissioner for Health, Dr Inyang Asibong has called for awareness on the dangers of neonatal tetanus, warning that mothers could be infected during unsafe and unhygienic delivery of their babies.

She made the call while flagging off the Second Round Maternal Neonatal Tetanus Elimination Campaign which targets women of child bearing ages between 15-49 years in Akamkpa Local Government Area on Tuesday.

According to her, the State Governor, Senator. Prof Ben Ayade is very concerned about elimination of neonatal tetanus and will continue give his unalloyed support. She noted that this signify a call to action to ensure elimination of neonatal tetanus.

Earlier Speaking, Director General of Cross River State Primary Healthcare Agency, Dr Betta Edu 

said Nigeria is one of the 27 countries that make up the90% of death from neonatal tetanus globally. Noting that the tetanus campaign was aimed at protecting women of childbearing age, pregnant women and their expected children from tetanus infection.

According to her tetanus cannot be eradicated but can only be eliminated and as such Governor Ben Ayade has taken it upon himself, working with National Primary Healthcare, UNICEF and WHO to ensure that Cross River State protects over 545,000 women and millions of unborn babies from tetanus.

She insisted that tetanus continues to thrive because of poor ANC attendance, high rate of delivery with TBAs and other unskilled birth attendants who use old contaminated razor blades or unsterilise object to cut the umbilical cord; warning that the state will not tolerate such insolence henceforth from unskilled birth attendance.

Earlier, Head of Local Government Administration Akamkpa, Mr Bassey Efiom said the essence of the exercise is to make sure the mother and the child are in good health.  He specially thanked the state governor, Commissioner and DG for their continuous support to primary healthcare across the state.

Also speaking, the representative of Paramount Ruler of Akamkpa Barr Ntufam Paul ogar admonishes all to join with the health personnels on ground to eliminate tetanus from Cross River State. Calling on state to improve the state of Akamkpa General Hospital for referral purposes.

Representatives of National Primary Healthcare Agency, UNICEF and WHO. Christian Association of Nigeria and chiefs were all present while female student 15years and above flooded the PHC to benefit from exercise.