Group equips health centres in Cross River ahead of schools’ resumption

A non-governmental organisation (NGO), United Purpose, at the weekend, donated over 200 handwashing facilities and other items to 196 Primary Healthcare Centres (PHCs) and health posts across 18 local councils of Cross River State through the Rural Sanitation & Hygiene Promotion in Nigeria (RUSHPIN) programme.

The group charged the government to put in place the necessary infrastructure in schools and health centres to prevent persons from contracting COVID-19 and other diseases.

The Programme Manager for RUSHPIN, Mr. Nanpet Chuktu said the gesture was to support the fight against COVID-19 in the state.

He said: “Hand washing is not just about fighting COVID-19. We urge the government to invest in sustainable sanitation and hygiene infrastructure for health centres and schools. This is essential for good health.

“In the face of COVID-19 and the need to strengthen the health sector preparedness, our donor, the Water Supply & Sanitation Collaborative Council (WSSCC), is supporting us to make sure that about 200 health care centres are equipped with hand-washing stations…”

The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Beta Edu said the practice of proper hygiene, especially hand washing, was one of the cheapest ways to prevent contracting disease.

She said: “The governor has done a lot with his team in preventing the spread. He will still do more in the fight against COVID-19 to protect Cross River residents and Nigerians generally.”