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| Dr. Mrs. Vivien Mesembe Otu DG CRSPHCDA |
By Oluchi Omai | Calabar | April 23, 2025
The Director General (DG) of the Cross River State Primary Health Care Development Agency (CRSPHCDA), Dr. Mrs. Vivien Mesembe Otu, has inaugurated members of the Noncompliance Resolution Committee ahead of the National Immunization Plus Days (NIPDs) Round 1 campaign scheduled for May 3–6, 2025.
The inauguration took place on April 22, 2025, during a one-day orientation for members of the State Social Mobilization Committee in Calabar. The event aimed to sensitize stakeholders and ensure effective planning and community engagement for the upcoming oral polio vaccination campaign.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Otu emphasized the urgency of the campaign, noting that the World Health Organization (WHO) had issued a call to action due to uncertain funding for future rounds.
“This is not just a routine exercise,” she said. “We are going to every nook and cranny of Cross River State to ensure that every child under five is vaccinated. Alongside the oral polio vaccine, we’ll also be administering other antigens for children who may have missed previous doses.”
She called on stakeholders—including teachers, religious leaders, military officers, media personnel, and others—to serve as “foot soldiers” in spreading information about the campaign and ensuring full participation across all sectors of the state.
“You are now officially members of the Noncompliance Resolution Committee. Your duty is to ensure compliance in schools, churches, mosques, markets, and households. We are aiming for 100% coverage,” Dr. Otu declared.
Welcoming participants, Mrs. Nsa Ekpenyong highlighted the need for collective commitment. “You are here as members of the State Social Mobilization Committee to understand the goals of the NIPDs and to agree on your areas of support,” she said. “Polio can deform a child for life, and just two drops of this vaccine can prevent that.”
UNICEF’s representative, Ikenwa Agbirionwu, encouraged stakeholders to give their best. “Your role is vital. Without you, there won’t be much sensitization in the grassroots,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of the WHO, Chief Mrs. Aigbojie Winifred explained the difference between the novel oral polio vaccine (nOPV) and the routine version. “This vaccine is not part of our regular immunization and may not be available after this campaign. One infected person can put over 200 children at risk,” she warned.
Offiong Edem of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) stressed the need for effective execution. “Our borders are open. We must act fast to eliminate the circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2). Data will be uploaded in real time, and both digital and paper tally sheets will be used to monitor coverage,” he stated.
State Immunization Officer, Uyomi Enya Eni, noted that noncompliance remained the biggest challenge from past campaigns. “Despite prior sensitization, we still encountered resistance from schools, religious houses, and families. This vaccine is a gift we must not waste. Let us ensure it gets to every child in Cross River State.” She pleaded.
In her remarks, Bassey E. Edet, State Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, revealed that the 2023 campaign exceeded expectations with 989,605 children immunized, achieving 105% administrative coverage. However, she stressed the need to surpass that achievement this year due to a rise in unvaccinated children.
“The more OPV doses a child receives, the stronger their immunity. The current cVDPV2 variant is different and more dangerous, and this round of vaccines cannot be substituted later,” Edet explained.
The upcoming campaign will deploy a multi-pronged strategy, including house-to-house visits, fixed posts, and temporary mobile posts. Civil society organizations will also be engaged to address noncompliance and ensure widespread awareness.
Stakeholders left the orientation with a renewed sense of duty to protect the health of children across Cross River State.
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