A campaign that provides free, integrated health services, including HIV testing and counseling, has been flagged off in Calabar, the Cross River State capital .
It was initiated by the Cross River State government in collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), and other partners.
The initiative tagged: “Wise Up Carnival Calabar Campaign,” also considers family planning, screening for common conditions such as tuberculosis, malaria and hepatitis.
Others are hypertension and diabetes, basic medical consultations, as well as health education, Gender-Based Violence (GBV) counselling and referrals, and condom distribution with STI information.
It was part of activities marking the 32-day Calabar Festival and it is an integrated healthcare services for adolescents and young people holding at the Calabar Christmas Village.
With the theme: “Your Choice Leaves Traces,” the campaign aims to promote responsible decision-making and expand access to sexual and reproductive health and rights services for young people and carnival attendees.
Flagging off the campaign, the Governor of Cross River State, Bassey Otu, represented by the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Henry Egbe Ayuk, assured partners of the state government’s commitment to taking full ownership of the “Wise Up” initiative.
Gov. Otu, commended UNFPA for sustaining the campaign for the past eight years announcing plans by the state government to establish a partners’ complex at the essential drugs premises along Barracks Road, Calabar.
This, according to the governor, is to enhance coordination and provide a more conducive environment for development partners delivering humanitarian and health services.
While lauding the substantial support from partners since his assumption of office two years ago, he, stressed the need to create an enabling environment for them to remain active, adding “today, Cross River is what it is because of the contributions of partners.”
Director-General of the Cross River State Agency for the Control of AIDS (CR-SACA), Dr. Charles Iwara, described the Wise Up Carnival Campaign as a strategic platform for addressing youth health challenges, especially during the festive season.
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“Globally, integrated service delivery is the focus because it is cost-effective and brings services to one place. With dwindling funding, it is important for government to take ownership, particularly during this yuletide period when young people and visitors flood the State,” he said.
Head of Office, UNFPA in the state, Dr. Andrew Kirima, explained that the Wise Up Carnival Campaign was conceptualized to leverage the annual influx of young people into the State during the carnival period.
“While young people are enjoying the festivities, it is also an opportunity to promote safer behaviours, condom use, and access to essential health services,” he said.
In separate goodwill messages, the World Health Organization (WHO) Representative, Dr. Gloria Archibong, applauded the State Government for creating an enabling environment for partners, noting that “a healthy state is a wealthy state,” and pledged WHO’s continued support.
