Mayor of Calabar, Apostle James Anam.
By Anietie Akpan
The World Health Organization (WHO) has reiterated its commitment on continous synergy with Calabar Municipality to boost Primary Health Care (PHC) system in Calabar Municipality
WHO made the commitment during an advocacy visit to the Council as contained in a press release dated February 24, by the Chief Press Secretary, Calabar Municipal Council, Oqua Etim. The delegation was received by the Mayor of Calabar, Apostle James Anam.
The Leader of the delegation, Dr. Gloria Archibong, explained that the primary purpose of the visit was to ensure continuous synergy and anticipation for future collaborations, which will strengthen the Public Healthcare System in Calabar Municipality.
Dr. Archibong, who is the Surveillance Control Officer for the WHO in the state, said the visit was also to advocate the Municipal Council’s continued ownership of Primary Healthcare activities with W.H.O and other partners’ support.
She enumerated the various support the WHO has been providing and highlighted some of the challenges facing the primary healthcare system in Calabar Municipality.
Dr. Archibong called for the provision of power supply for the Cold Store in the Council Secretariat, recruitment of health workers, funding for disease outbreak response activities, release of counterpart funds immunization activities as well as setting up of Local Government Task Force to oversee Polio and Routine Immunization performance.
While receiving the delegation, the Mayor of Calabar expressed his determination to bring back life to the Health Sector in Calabar Municipality.
Apostle Anam, who said he had a background in humanitarian services, said Education, Health and Social Services were the priority of his Administration.
The Council Boss noted that the challenges facing governments at all levels were enormous and assured the W.H.O delegation of his desire to put in place an enabling environment as well as necessary facilities and equipment to enable primary healthcare institutions within the Calabar Municipality function maximally.
Apostle Anam disclosed that the 65KVA Generator in the Council Secretariat has been repaired and now functional, while repair work on the vandalized power Sub-station also in the Council Secretariat was at an advanced stage.
He directed the Council Vice Chairman, Pastor Okon Nyong and the Supervisor for Health, Princess Eme Ekpenyong, to draw up a comprehensive list of requirements for the Health Sector in Calabar Municipality.
The PHC Coordinator for Calabar Municipality, Mrs. Bassey Ndehe Effiong, who also spoke, drew the Mayor’s attention to the lack of functional storage facilities at the Cold Store and lack of vehicle for operations.
