"Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) Supports CRS With Cold Chain equipment, incenerator and vaccines for hepatitis & Typhoid"

 _"The cold chain equipment will help us store our COVID-19 vaccines. your Commission's presence is felt across the 9 NDDC States of the federation". - Dr Betta Edu tells NDDC._ 

One of the core mandates of NDDC is to develop key infrastructure to promote diversification and productivity. Amidst the outbreak of the global COVID-19 pandemic, the Commission has supported Cross River state with important medical items to fight against the spread of the virus as well as to boast functionality of the health sector of the State.

The Commission has donated 1,519 typhoid fever vaccines, 2,863 hepatitis B vaccines, Dulas Solar Direct Drive Refrigerator, Porka walking in cold room, and a medical Incinerator. Handing over the items to the State's Commissioner for Health on behalf of the Commission, Mr Ene Okpo Ene-Ita the CRS NDDC Ag. Director stated that the Commission is determined to make a difference in the health sector. He noted that typhoid and hepatitis B are endemic in the Niger Delta region, as such there is need to vaccinate most vulnerable against these diseases . NDDC is also determined to support with Cold chain equipment that will store vaccines, keeping  our people safe when administered so as to increase productivity."

After receiving the items, Dr Betta Edu thanked and commended NDDC on behalf of the State Governor Sen Prof Ben Ayade for their immense support from the beginning of the outbreak COVID-19 pandemic. "The impact of NDDC i must say has been felt. With the arrival of COVID-19 vaccines into this state there is need to increase storage capacity at the various LGAs the cold chain equipment will help with those. The large medical waste generated at the COVID-19 testing Reference Laboratory in Lawrence Henshaw Memorial Hospital, will be properly disposed by the medical incinerator. All items will be used judiciously for the purpose why they've been donated, they'll help us in so many areas as they're quite important and timely. We'll commence a State wide campaign for typhoid and hepatitis B vaccine immediately after the COVID-19 vaccination first phase."

On her part, the DG CRSPHCDA Dr Janet Ekpenyong thanked NDDC for their support as she stated that the items donated have so far addressed some of the major needs of the State. "NDDC has proven their commitment to the State through the donation of these and many other items which has made the fight against COVID-19 a bit easy for us. These items will go a long way to meet our needs especially the solar refrigerator that will help ease our regular buying of diesel to power the electricity generating plant, we appreciate your commitment and support for CRS while we are assuring you of a judicious use of these items, we solicit also that more support be given to the state."

Barr Takon Asu Takon the permanent secretary of the health ministry in a vote of thanks commended the NDDC team and her leadership stating that they've so far been able to make their presence felt in all their 9 States and that the impact won't be forgotten in a hurry. Dr Edu stated that one of the Porka Walking in cold room will be sent to Ikom LGA to help preserve vaccines. With the health commissioner during this exercise was Dr Iwara Iwara the Director of Public Health, Dr Itam Essien, Director of Medical Services, and a host of other health personnel.