Demystifying Covid-19; C'River Govt Carries out Sensitization in Odukpani LGA, more community sample collection

To ensure misconception about Coronavirus is trash in our local communities the Cross River State Ministry of Health and COVID-19 Taskforce has began an intensive and aggressive awareness campaign in Odukpani Local Government Area. This is aim to empower Community influencers such as religious leaders, traditional leaders, civil base organizations, youths and opinion leaders to participate in the on-going sensitization exercises and to sustain that strategy by letting community members lead the campaign.

The awareness exercise which took place at the Odukpani Local Government Council Headquarters on Friday was chaired by the Cross River State Commissioner for Health and Chairman Covid-19 Response Taskforce, Dr Betta Edu, who was received by the Host; Chairman of Odukpani LGA, Hon Mrs. Justina Edem. Also in attendance was the Director General of Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr Janet Ekpenyong.

“Odukpani has played a very strategic role in the fight against COVID-19, chiefs community members and indeed the council was involved in the shut out of our border and marine routes. Every night the community youth sacrificed their sleep to keep vigil at the boundaries to keep our state safe from COVID-19. This sacrifice will forever be in our minds.” Dr Betta Edu said it became necessary to expand the scope of engagement with the Community influencers across the LGAs for targeted sensitization in recognition of their customary roles and responsibilities as custodians of society.

She disclosed that the influence wield by the Community influencers and respect earned from their subjects provide the entry point to reaching the people with key messages on COVID-19 sensitization and creation of awareness on the virus, symptoms, prevention, community testing and information on the location of sample collection centres in the state, especially at this critical stage of community transmission”, She said.

In the State Sen Ben Ayade our Governor demands that we continue to sensitize the people on the need to stay safe by regular use of facemask, hand washing, sanitizing and accessing of health facilities when they feel any strange symptoms of disease.

The Commissioner lauded the Chairman of Odukpani Council, Hon Mrs. Justina Edem for making health of her subjects a priority. She appealed to the community to cooperate with the Local Government Taskforce that will be carrying out massive sample collection exercise across the LGA as well as active case search and contact tracing.

The LGA Chairman, Hon Mrs Justina Edem applauded the State Governor Sen Ben Ayade for his immense support and contribution to the fight against Covid-19 in Cross River State. She said after the commencement of the Statewide sensitization exercise the LGA have carried out massive sensitization and awareness campaign to inform the people about the virus.

"We will take this message again to every nook and crannies of our communities, we will continue to sensitize our people on the importance of abiding to these laid down guidelines and at the end we will wipe COVID-19 out just like we did with Polio; she said.

The Director General of CRSPHCDA, Dr Janet Ekpenyong said alot has to be done to ensure Community transmission is at the bearest minimal. "His Excellency Sen Prof Ben Ayade has done well in the health sector especially by giving us all the needed support and resources to tackle this fight.

The highlight of the event was market to market sensitization with the LGA team led by the Local Government Chairman as well as samples collection and distribution of thousands of facemasks, hand sanitizers and other palliatives across Odukpani Metropolis. Training for Ward Development Committee was successful concluded.