Obong of Calabar And His Council of Chiefs Receive Covid-19 Vaccination With a Call on the Public to Embrace Immunization

 

The Obong of Calabar, His Eminence, Edidem Ekpo Okon Otu Abasi the V and members of his traditional rulers council yesterday  received their first doses of the astrazeneca's vaccine as they call on their followers to support Government in the fight against Covid-19 by embracing Immunization.

The first class traditional ruler who made the call during a sensitisation and advocacy  visit by the Cross River State health team to his palace  stated that, as influential figures in the society, the need to  repose confidence in the minds of the people has become insurmountable, hence the choice to be vaccinated publicly.

He noted that with the  introduction of the vaccine to the country and it's distribution to states, there is hope for the Eradication of the deadly Corona virus which has affected all sectors of life, he attributed the low incidences recorded in the state to the commitment of the health team to raise awareness across different Communities.

He therefore charged his supporters and followers to avail themselves the opportunity of being vaccinated while also maintaining laid down protocols and lifestyle as recommended by world health regulatory bodies.

Speaking earlier, the Director General of the Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr Janet Ekpenyong thanked the the Obong of Calabar and his council of chiefs for supporting Government programs through the mobilization of their subjects across various Communities.

Dr Ekpenyong however urged the traditional rulers to dispell  rumors being  peddled across the  social media space on the inefficacy of the vaccine with fallacious claims, stating that over 400 million people globally and over 25,000 people in Cross River have  been vaccinated with no death recorded or severe adverse events following immunization.

She therefore assured and thanked them for their  numerous support and strong will in delivering achievable goals to their subjects and in extension the state, stating  that their impact , have placed the state in an advanced position on health  program Implementation across the country.

On her part, the representative of the World Health Organization, Cross River State, Mrs Chisom Emeka applauded the state for the collaboration between the political class and the traditional class, disclosing that with such partnership, there would be reasonable improvement in the delivery of health services to citizens .

Also speaking, the Special Adviser to the Governor on health, Dr David Ushie, reiterated the safety of the Vaccines and the importance of immunization and how it's been used over the years to combat diseases with some of the diseases being eradicated.

The Director General of the Cross River State Health Insurance Scheme, Chief Godwin Iyala who was also present used the opportunity to intimate the Obong and the Edidems on the rolled out State health insurance scheme which will ensure access to quality health care without financial hardship and will strengthen the health system. 

Highlight of the visit was the vaccination of the Obong and the Edidems after an interactive session where there were questions from the Etuboms and responses from the health team. 

Also with the DG state primary health care development Agency was the Director, Local Government Health Authority, Calabar south Mrs Emem Achibong, State social Mobilization officer, Mrs Nsa Ekpenyong among, the Director of Administration Cross River State Health Insurance Agency, Mrs Beatrice Akonjom, Mr Joseph Omieh ICT focal person CRSPHCDA amongst others.