Cross River State Primary Health Care Development Agency

01/10/2026

@ 66, HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY & NEW MONTH

01/10/2026

EVIDENCE GROUP CROSS RIVER STATE PAYS COURTESY VISIT TO DG CRSPHCDA, COMMENDS PRINCE OTU ADMINISTRATION’S HEALTHCARE INITIATIVES

“NO NOISE, JUST PROOF”

01/10/2026

𝐄𝐕𝐈𝐃𝐄𝐍𝐂𝐄 𝐆𝐑𝐎𝐔𝐏 𝐂𝐑𝐎𝐒𝐒 𝐑𝐈𝐕𝐄𝐑 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐓𝐄 𝐏𝐀𝐘𝐒 𝐂𝐎𝐔𝐑𝐓𝐄𝐒𝐘 𝐕𝐈𝐒𝐈𝐓 𝐓𝐎 𝐃𝐆 𝐂𝐑𝐒𝐏𝐇𝐂𝐃𝐀, 𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐃𝐒 𝐏𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐂𝐄 𝐎𝐓𝐔 𝐀𝐃𝐌𝐈𝐍𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍’𝐒 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐋𝐓𝐇𝐂𝐀𝐑𝐄 𝐈𝐍𝐈𝐓𝐈𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐕𝐄𝐒

“𝑵𝑶 𝑵𝑶𝑰𝑺𝑬, 𝑱𝑼𝑺𝑻 𝑷𝑹𝑶𝑶𝑭”

The Evidence Group Cross River State, under its guiding slogan, “No Noise, Just Proof,” has paid a courtesy visit to the Director General of the Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (CRSPHCDA), Dr. Vivien Mesembe Otu, to formally intimate her of the group’s activities and its support for the administration of His Excellency, Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu, Governor of Cross River State.

The visit provided an opportunity for constructive engagement on the administration’s achievements in the health sector, particularly its interventions in primary healthcare development, workforce welfare, healthcare infrastructure, policy reforms, and access to quality healthcare services.

𝐃𝐆 𝐇𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐋𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐒 𝐋𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐊 𝐀𝐂𝐇𝐈𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐒 𝐈𝐍 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐋𝐓𝐇 𝐒𝐄𝐂𝐓𝐎𝐑
In her response, Dr. Vivien Mesembe Otu highlighted the significant strides recorded by the Prince Otu led administration in transforming healthcare delivery across Cross River State.

She particularly referenced the recent recognition of His Excellency by the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Cross River State Branch, which conferred on him the Platinum Meritorious Service Award at its 2026 Annual General Meeting.

The prestigious award, unanimously approved by members of the Association, recognises the Governor’s contributions to healthcare delivery, particularly in the areas of funding, human resource development, infrastructure, policy reforms, and the security and welfare of healthcare workers.

𝐊𝐄𝐘 𝐀𝐂𝐇𝐈𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐒 𝐎𝐅 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐏𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐂𝐄 𝐎𝐓𝐔 𝐀𝐃𝐌𝐈𝐍𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐈𝐍 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐋𝐓𝐇 𝐒𝐄𝐂𝐓𝐎𝐑

1. 𝑾𝒐𝒓𝒌𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒄𝒆 𝑾𝒆𝒍𝒇𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑬𝒎𝒑𝒍𝒐𝒚𝒎𝒆𝒏𝒕
The DG highlighted the administration’s commitment to improving the welfare, security, and professional development of healthcare personnel through several initiatives, including:
- Implementation of 100% revised CONMESS for doctors in the state civil
service.
- Extension of the retirement age for healthcare workers from 60 to 65 years
- Lifting of the employment embargo on health workers.
- Approval for the recruitment of doctors, including full-time specialist consultants.
- Improved security measures for doctors and other healthcare personnel.

2. 𝑯𝒆𝒂𝒍𝒕𝒉𝒄𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝑰𝒏𝒇𝒓𝒂𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒖𝒄𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒆, 𝑭𝒖𝒏𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑨𝒄𝒄𝒆𝒔𝒔
Dr. Otu further highlighted the administration’s investments in healthcare infrastructure and access to essential medical services, including:
* Significant increase in budgetary allocation to the health sector.
* Renovation and upgrading of over 100 Primary Healthcare Centres across the state.
* Commencement of phased upgrading of general hospitals.
* Expansion of the Cross River State Health Insurance Scheme to accommodate beneficiaries in both the formal and informal sectors.
* She noted that the ongoing renovation of primary healthcare facilities reflects the administration’s commitment to strengthening healthcare delivery at the grassroots and ensuring that more communities have access to functional healthcare services.

3. 𝑷𝒐𝒍𝒊𝒄𝒚, 𝑳𝒆𝒈𝒊𝒔𝒍𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑰𝒏𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒕𝒖𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝑹𝒆𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒎𝒔
The DG also acknowledged the administration’s commitment to strengthening the healthcare system through legislative and institutional reforms, including:
* Signing into law of the Cross River State Hospital Management Board Act.
* Signing into law of the Medical Quackery Prohibition Bill and establishment of the Health Monitoring Taskforce.
* Signing into law of the Cross River State Drug Management Agency Act.
* These measures are aimed at strengthening healthcare governance, improving regulatory oversight, promoting patient safety, and enhancing the delivery of quality healthcare services.

4. 𝑯𝒆𝒂𝒍𝒕𝒉 𝑳𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒑 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑵𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝑽𝒊𝒔𝒊𝒃𝒊𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒚
The administration’s support for hosting major national healthcare gatherings in Calabar was also highlighted as a demonstration of its commitment to advancing healthcare development and strengthening professional collaboration.

These gatherings include:
* ɴᴍᴀ ᴀɴɴᴜᴀʟ ɢᴇɴᴇʀᴀʟ ꜱᴄɪᴇɴᴛɪꜰɪᴄ ᴄᴏɴꜰᴇʀᴇɴᴄᴇ ᴀɴᴅ ᴅᴇʟᴇɢᴀᴛᴇꜱ ᴍᴇᴇᴛɪɴɢ, 2024.
* ɴᴀʀᴅ ɴᴀᴛɪᴏɴᴀʟ ᴇxᴇᴄᴜᴛɪᴠᴇ ᴄᴏᴜɴᴄɪʟ ᴍᴇᴇᴛɪɴɢ, 2025.
* 66ᴛʜ ɴᴀᴛɪᴏɴᴀʟ ᴄᴏᴜɴᴄɪʟ ᴏɴ ʜᴇᴀʟᴛʜ ᴍᴇᴇᴛɪɴɢ, 2025.
* ɴᴀʀᴅ ᴀɴɴᴜᴀʟ ɢᴇɴᴇʀᴀʟ ᴍᴇᴇᴛɪɴɢ, 2026.

The DG noted that these engagements have provided opportunities for professional exchange, policy discussions, and collaboration among healthcare stakeholders.

𝐃𝐆 𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐅𝐅𝐈𝐑𝐌𝐒 𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐌𝐈𝐓𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐓𝐎 𝐒𝐔𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐈𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐋𝐓𝐇𝐂𝐀𝐑𝐄 𝐃𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐋𝐎𝐏𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓

Dr. Vivien Mesembe Otu expressed appreciation to the Evidence Group Cross River State for the courtesy visit and its interest in documenting and communicating developments in the state.

She reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to supporting the state government’s healthcare agenda, particularly through the continued renovation of primary healthcare facilities, improved service delivery, and strengthened community-level healthcare systems.

She emphasised that the renovation of over 100 Primary Healthcare Centres represents an ongoing commitment, with more facilities expected to benefit from the administration’s interventions.

The visit concluded with a shared commitment to constructive engagement, public awareness, and continued support for initiatives aimed at improving healthcare delivery and the overall well-being of Cross Riverians.

29/09/2026

𝐁𝐔𝐈𝐋𝐃𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐀 𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐎𝐍𝐆𝐄𝐑 𝐅𝐑𝐎𝐍𝐓𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐄 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐍𝐄𝐖𝐁𝐎𝐑𝐍 𝐒𝐔𝐑𝐕𝐈𝐕𝐀𝐋

UCTH Hosts Two-Day Neonatal Resuscitation Training Workshop
The Department of Paediatrics, University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH), is hosting a two-day Neonatal Resuscitation Training (NRT) Workshop from 28th to 29th September 2026, bringing together healthcare professionals and key health-sector partners in a concerted effort to strengthen the capacity of frontline teams to respond effectively to neonatal emergencies.

The training is being organised in collaboration with the Nigerian Society of Neonatal Medicine (NSNM), the Cross River State Primary Health Care Development Agency (CRSPHCDA), and the Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, UCTH.

Held at the Family Planning Clinic Hall, University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, the workshop runs from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily and brings together midwives, nurses and doctors whose roles are central to the provision of safe and timely maternal and newborn care.

𝑺𝑻𝑹𝑬𝑵𝑮𝑻𝑯𝑬𝑵𝑰𝑵𝑮 𝑻𝑯𝑬 𝑭𝑹𝑶𝑵𝑻𝑳𝑰𝑵𝑬 𝑹𝑬𝑺𝑷𝑶𝑵𝑺𝑬
Every minute matters when a newborn requires urgent intervention. Neonatal emergencies demand clinical knowledge, speed, precision, teamwork and the ability to respond appropriately under pressure.
Recognising the importance of a well-prepared frontline workforce, the Director-General of the Cross River State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Dr. Vivien Mesembe Otu, has supported the participation of frontline health workers from primary health care facilities in the retraining programme.

The initiative reflects the Agency’s commitment to continuous professional development and to equipping health workers with the practical skills required to deliver quality care, particularly in critical areas of maternal and newborn health.

Through the training, participants are being equipped to recognise neonatal emergencies promptly, initiate appropriate interventions and work collaboratively during the critical moments surrounding birth.

Neonatal emergencies require immediate and coordinated action. The NRT Workshop provides a practical platform for healthcare professionals to refresh their knowledge, strengthen their clinical skills and build confidence in responding to situations that may threaten the life of a newborn.

The multidisciplinary composition of the participants is particularly significant. Midwives, nurses, doctors, CHEWS, paediatricians and obstetric professionals occupy interconnected positions along the maternal and newborn care continuum. Strengthening their capacity to work effectively as a team is essential to ensuring that newborns receive timely and appropriate care when complications arise around birth.

The collaboration among UCTH, the Nigerian Society of Neonatal Medicine, CRSPHCDA, and the Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, UCTH, demonstrates a shared commitment to professional capacity development and improved newborn health services.

Through structured training, practical learning and knowledge exchange, the workshop provides an opportunity for healthcare professionals to reinforce evidence-informed approaches to neonatal emergency care.
Such partnerships help bridge the gap between specialist knowledge and frontline service delivery, particularly in situations where timely intervention can be critical to newborn outcomes.

Improving newborn outcomes requires more than infrastructure and equipment. It also depends on having competent and confident healthcare professionals who can respond effectively when emergencies occur.

The neonatal resuscitation training therefore represents an important investment in the human resources required to deliver safe and responsive maternal and newborn healthcare.

The knowledge and practical skills gained through the programme are expected to strengthen emergency preparedness and contribute to improved quality of neonatal care across the frontline healthcare system.
The neonatal period is one of the most critical stages of life, requiring timely intervention, skilled personnel and coordinated clinical decision-making.

As healthcare professionals strengthen their competencies in neonatal resuscitation, the benefits extend beyond the training room. A better-prepared frontline workforce can contribute to more timely responses, stronger coordination and improved quality of care for newborns requiring urgent attention.

Building competent healthcare teams is an investment in safer births, stronger newborn care and healthier communities. This version keeps the DG’s leadership and support visible without making the story sound promotional or repetitive.

28/09/2026

28/09/2026

: 𝐂𝐑𝐒𝐏𝐇𝐂𝐃𝐀 𝐋𝐚𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐬 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝟏,𝟎𝟎𝟎 𝐃𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐒𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐁𝐞𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐂𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐢𝐠𝐧, 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐦𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐁𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝 𝐍𝐮𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧.

24/09/2026

"𝑾𝒐𝒓𝒍𝒅 𝒃𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒕𝒇𝒆𝒆𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒘𝒆𝒆𝒌 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔" 𝑹𝒐𝒂𝒅 𝒘𝒂𝒍𝒌 𝒊𝒏 𝑪𝒂𝒍𝒂𝒃𝒂𝒓.

24/09/2026

"𝑾𝒐𝒓𝒍𝒅 𝒃𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒕𝒇𝒆𝒆𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒘𝒆𝒆𝒌 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔" 𝑹𝒐𝒂𝒅 𝒘𝒂𝒍𝒌 𝒊𝒏 𝑪𝒂𝒍𝒂𝒃𝒂𝒓.


Calabar

23/09/2026

Under the Prince Otu led administration, we have been able to sustain strong advocacy for maternal and child health, as seen in the road walk held today in Calabar to mark World Breastfeeding Week 2026.

The walk was also an opportunity to distribute the newly launched IEC materials for the campaign. The materials create awareness on the importance of breastfeeding, right nutrition, and support for breastfeeding mothers, to encourage exclusive breastfeeding.

The walk was led by the Director General of the Cross River State Primary Health Care Development Agency (CRSPHCDA), Dr Vivien Mesembe Otu. She was joined by the Special Adviser on Programs to Her Excellency, Dr Queeneth Eton; MWAN President Dr Funke Ebughe; Dr Inyang Asibong; Prof Emmanuel Ekanem; a representative of UNICEF and other partners; frontline health workers; staff of the Agency; representatives of the State Planning Commission; the media; and other invited guests.

The walk started at the Millennium Park, Calabar (popularly known as Eleven Eleven). It went through Calabar Road to Watt Market, Calabar Road roundabout, Edgerton, Etim Edem Park, Mary Slessor Road and Barracks Road, before returning to the starting point.

Along the route, participants shared the IEC materials with residents and passers-by. At several stopover points, the State Social Mobilization Officer, Mrs Nsa Ekpenyong, and Prof Emmanuel Ekanem spoke on the importance of breastfeeding for the health and development of our children.

At the end of the walk, the DG, Dr Vivien Mesembe Otu, thanked everyone for coming out to mark World Breastfeeding Week 2026.