COVID-19: Cross River Distributes Over 200 Standard Hand Washing Facilities, As Mayor of Calabar Louds COVID-19 response

Cross River State Commissioner for Health, Dr Betta Edu alongside The Chairman of Calabar Municipality Hon.  Nta Eke ( Mayor of Calabar) and Director General of Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr Janet David Ekpenyong on Monday flag off the distribution of over 200 standardized hand washing facilities to health facilities across the state as part of COVID-19 response. These Hand washing facilities are to be distributed to selected primary healthcare facilities in the 18 LGAs in Cross River State along with three months supply of soap.

Speaking, Dr Betta Edu commended United Purpose RUSHPIN program for their support in the heat of Coronavirus pandemic ravaging the country. She said this will go along way to strengthen the good works the state have done on sensitization and hand washing across the state. 

"Handwashing with soap is one of the cheapest, most effective things you can do to protect yourself and others against coronavirus as well as many other infectious diseases. She called on the mayor of Calabar Hon Eke who she noted was already starting on a high note of great performance; to support the enforcement of the NO MASK NO MOVEMENT while prioritizing health care in his LGA.

The Director General of Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr Janet David Ekpenyong tasked Primary health facilities to take preventive measures such as the hand washing facility that will be distributed across. She said hand washing is the first steps in curtailing the coronavirus, adding that after washing your hands avoid touching of eyes, nose and mouth so as to be safe.

Ekpenyong urged the council to ensure various business places have a hand washing bucket at the entrance of their respective facilities to enable people coming in to wash their hands.

The Mayor of Calabar Municipality,  Efeffiong Nta Eke eulogised United Purpose and RUSHPIN for choosing the Local Government as one of the beneficiaries while assuring them of proper utilization. According to him Hand washing has come to stay in the local government as he will do everything possible to ensure this is reciprocated at ward and zonal levels. He noted that primary healthcare is one of his cardinal agenda and blueprint of his administration.

Earlier Speaking, Program Manager for RUSHPIN, Mr Nanpet Chuktu said hand washing is not just about fighting Covid-19 but a very important safety guard to good health. He urged the state government to invest in more sustainable sanitation and hygiene infrastructures for health centers and schools.

Highlight of the event was unveiling of the hand washing facilities for Calabar Municipality by the Commissioner for Health, DG CRSPHCDA, Mayor of Calabar the Deputy Mayor Hon Agor and Former Commissioner for Health, Prof Joseph Ana.