Iloke Egbe

To advance the implementation of the peoples first mantra of his Excellency the Governor using healthcare as a unit of spreading good governance, and to protect children which are the future, the Cross River State Government has flagged off 2026 school Based Deworming Exercise to prevent the negative implications of worm in children.

Flagging off the program at Government Technical School Mayne Avenue Calabar South, the Governor, represented by the Director General, Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency Dr. Mrs Vivian Otu asserted that worms in children age five to fourteen is like a cancar worm and if not properly treated can result into complications that will slow down the growth and development of a child.

She informed that, the flagoff exercise is a demonstration of Government commitment to the eradication of Neglected Tropical Disease which worm is one of the most common amongst children. That the Government under the leadership of His Excellency Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu is totally committed to the eradication of NTD's and improvement in healthcare delivery to residents of the State.

She expressed her appreciation to the management and Staff of Ministry of Health, NTD unit,  the team from the Federal Ministry of Health and Evidence Action, describing them as reliable partners. She called on parents across the State to allow their children to take the tablets as it is safe and certified by relevant authorities.

Adding his voice, the senior manager Evidence Action Ambassador Eustace Toichi Ohaji described the flagoff exercise as very successful and strategic in the intervention. He said attendance in the event by Government officials is a clear indication that there are functional synergies amongst key actors in the State and the Federal.

Mr. Ohaji thanked the State Government for the cordiality that characterized their partnership with Evidence Action, adding that the State commitment is very encouraging.

Speaking on behalf of the Local Government Education Authority, Elder Offiong Effiom from the Quality Assurance Unit advised the children to inform their parents that Government has given them worm tablets to avoid a double dose of related medications.

In her words, the State program coordinator Neglected Tropical Disease Pastor Veronica Mark, described the flagoff exercise as very successful, that Government is on its feet and the eradication of NTD's is a must win war. While Mr Andrew Ushie coordinator Evidence Action also expressed satisfaction with the unity and cooperation exhibited by stakeholders.

Highlights of the event was the administration of the deworming table to students of Government Technical School Mayne Avenue by the DG-PHCDA on behalf of the State Government.