04/12/2025
Cross River Flags Off Second Round of MNCHW 2.0
Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria – December 3, 2025.
The Cross River State Primary Health Care Development Agency (CRSPHCDA), in effective collaboration with the State Ministry of Health and key partners, has officially flag-off the Second Round of the Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health Week (MNCHW 2) campaign.
The ceremonial flag-off, held at the Primary Health Care Centre, Ikot Ansa, Calabar, was performed by the Wife of the Governor and State Nutrition Champion, Her Excellency, Bishop Dr. (Mrs.) Eyoanwan Bassey Otu.
In her opening remarks, Her Excellency, Bishop Dr. (Mrs.) Eyoanwan Bassey Otu, extended a warm welcome to all attendees, particularly the mothers and their children who came out in significant numbers. She emphasized the campaign’s vital role in protecting the state's future leaders from preventable illnesses and ensuring that both pregnant and nursing mothers maintain optimal health to nurture the next generation.
The event, which signaled the state’s unwavering commitment to primary healthcare strengthening, saw the convergence of various government appointees and implementing partners.
The Director-General of CRSPHCDA, Dr. Vivien Mesembe Otu, presented a comprehensive address detailing the scope and critical interventions of the five-day exercise, which commenced on Thursday, December 4th, and will run through Monday, December 8th, 2025.
Maximum Reach Strategy
* The campaign is strategically designed to achieve maximum reach by deploying service teams across all 18 Local Government Areas of Cross River State.
* Intervention posts are not limited to health facilities but include strategically designated locations such as churches, mosques, schools, markets, and recreational centres to ensure accessibility for all eligible populations.
Comprehensive and Integrated Service Package
The MNCHW 2 provides a comprehensive package of free, safe, and effective services, notably integrating the crucial Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) Vaccination campaign for the first time.
The Target Group: Children (0-59 months) Intervention: Vitamin A Supplementation, Deworming Tablets, Routine Immunization and Screening for malnutrition.
Target Group: Children (Aged 0 to 59 Months) - The services for young children focus on preventative health and early detection:
Vitamin A Supplementation: To promote general health and improve vision.
Deworming Tablets: For effective parasite control.
Routine Immunization: To protect against vaccine-preventable diseases.
Screening for Malnutrition: For the early detection and management of nutritional deficiencies.
Target Group: Pregnant Women
The service for expectant mothers focuses on essential prenatal nutrition:
Iron and Fesolate Tablets: To aid in anemia prevention and support optimal fetal development.
Target Group: Adolescent Girls (Aged 9 Years) -
A critical new intervention targeting long-term health: Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) Vaccination: To provide protection against the future risk of cervical cancer.
Dr. Otu further announced the agency's commitment to expanding the immunization schedule, confirming that the Measles Rubella Vaccine (MRV) will be officially rolled out in Cross River State in February 2026.
The Honorable Commissioner of Health, Cross River State, Elder Dr. Henry Egbe Ayuk Ph.D (JP), echoed the importance of the exercise, stressing the need for mothers and children to utilize this opportunity to ensure the state's health and safety.
Dr. Otu issued a fervent call to parents and caregivers, urging them to bring all eligible children, pregnant women, and adolescent girls aged 9 years to the nearest designated post before the December 8th deadline, defining their participation as a "critical investment" in the future health and prosperity of their families and the state.
The ceremony was marked by the official cutting of the tape. As a symbolic demonstration of commitment, Her Excellency, Bishop Dr. Eyoanwan Bassey Otu, personally administered key health interventions, including:
* Administering deworming tablets.
* Administering Vitamin A.
* Administering Iron and Fesolate Tablets to expectant mothers.
Following the flag-off, Her Excellency conducted an inspection tour of the newly renovated Primary Healthcare facility at Ikot Ansa, Calabar, underscoring the government's dedication to improving health infrastructure.
