By Magnus Effiong
The Special Adviser to Governor Bassey Otu on Health, Dr Ekpo Ekpo Bassey, has said there is no confirmed case of cholera outbreak in Cross River state as reported in some quarters but that to ensure prevention, control and care in case it occurs, the State government has already activated cholera response centres across the 18 local government areas of the State.
Dr Bassey, who spoke with PillarToday in Calabar, described as ‘misleading’ the cholera outbreak report, and reiterated “there is no confirmed case of outbreak of cholera whatsoever in Cross River.”
He noted: “As a state that is proactive when it has to do with the welfare of its citizens, we have, together with the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, already activated Emergency Cholera Response Centres across the 18 local government areas to ensure prevention, control and care and stop fatalities in case it occurs.”
When asked on reported low staff strength of some ministries, departments and agencies of government, including the health sector to handle emergencies, Dr Bassey said “it is true that some MDAs, including the Ministry of Health, are now under-staffed as a result of retirements of many civil servants, His Excellency, the Governor, is not unaware of this.
“The government is planning to employ Doctors, nurses, laboratory scientists, pharmacies and other personnel to replace retired staff in the health sector, and at the end of the day, Cross River state would be better for it.
“The exercise, when flagged off across board, would boost the economy and the already known achievement profile of His Excellency, the Governor. It would also go a long way to reduce poverty, reduce criminality, restiveness and bring additional sweetness to many families with attendant multiplier effects.
“We know a lot of our youths are on the streets and are looking up to the government to create jobs. Their dreams shall see the light of day under Governor Bassey Otu, but they need to allow the government to put things in order first as he is doing with infrastructures and then things will fall into shape gradually.”
