The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) handed over two fully built and fully equipped health centers to the Cross River government for use in the local government area of Ogoja.
UNHCR Country Representative, Ms. Chansa Kapaya, who launched the health centers in Ogoja, thanked the Federal Government and Cross River in particular for hosting the Cameroonian refugees.
The Nigerian News Agency reports that the health centers are located in the communities of Adagom and Ukende.
Kapaya said the statistics of 85,000 refugees in Nigeria were the refugees officially registered by the National Commission for Refugees, adding that Cross River alone hosts more than 50,000 refugees.
She said UNHCR recently distributed 200 boxes carrying vaccines and a fully equipped ambulance and security van to ensure the safety of the locals and refugees in Ogoja.
He took the opportunity to call on the Cross River government to increase the number of healthcare workers at the facility so that healthcare services reach the vulnerable population.
UNHCR Ogoja Field Office Chief Mr. Tesfaye Beleke said that in addition to the health facilities, many schools were renovated and built across the state.
The Director General of the Cross River State Emergency Management Agency, Mr. Princewill Ayim, reiterated the government’s commitment to providing the necessary support to enhance effective response.
For his part, Mr. Innocent Efoghe, Zonal Coordinator of the National Commission for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons, thanked UNHCR for providing and equipping the health centers.
Dr. Janet Ekpenyong, Director General of the Cross River Primary Health Care Agency, who received the health facilities, thanked UNHCR for interventions to improve the lives of Cameroonian refugees and host communities.
He announced that more health workers would be sent to the facilities to improve the maximum delivery of health services.
The president of the Ogoja local government council, Mr. Emmanuel Ishabor, thanked UNHCR for recognizing the support given to the refugees and for building the health facilities.
– NAN
