The Cross River State Government is strengthening its collaboration with the Child Health and Mortality Prevention Surveillance (CHAMPS) programme to tackle maternal and child mortality in the state.
The Director-General of the Cross River State Primary Health Care Development Agency (CRSPHCDA), Dr. Vivian Otu made this known during a town hall meeting in Calabar on Wednesday.
Otu said the government, led by Governor Bassey Otu, remains committed to promoting good health and the overall wellbeing of its people.
She explained that CHAMPS has provided the state government with crucial data to better understand the causes of maternal and child mortality.
This data has enabled the agency to design smarter and more effective healthcare response systems for the population.
“We are absolutely committed to expanding this partnership to reach even the most remote communities in the state,” Otu stated.
“Cross River is actively implementing the CHAMPS programme, showcasing the government’s dedication to evidence-based health planning and interventions.”
Describing the town hall meeting as timely and purposeful, she noted, “It has brought stakeholders together to review progress and chart a new course.”
In his remarks, Professor Martins Meremikwu, CHAMPS Chief Investigator in Cross River, highlighted significant milestones achieved through the programme.
He noted its close collaboration with the University of Calabar and the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital.
“This initiative has made measurable progress in reducing preventable child deaths through strong community engagement, data-driven strategies, and health system improvements,” Meremikwu said.
A key achievement is the establishment of community advisory boards in Calabar South, Calabar Municipality, Akpabuyo, and Bakassi Local Government Areas.
The initiative also donated seven ultrasound machines to selected health centres across the state to strengthen maternal and child health services.
Meremikwu emphasized that CHAMPS primarily aims to enhance prenatal care and reduce pregnancy complications, noting that lack of access to diagnostic services significantly contributes to maternal and infant mortality.
CHAMPS Project Manager, Professor Iwara Arikpo outlined the programme’s core objectives: reducing child mortality, improving pregnancy outcomes, and building local capacity.
“CHAMPS isn’t just about statistics,” he said.
“We transform data into concrete action by addressing diagnostic shortages, training needs, broken referral systems, and more.”
The Chairman of Calabar Municipal Council, James Anam represented by Council Secretary Mr. Iso Edim, pledged the council’s readiness to support collaborative efforts toward improved healthcare services.
Anam commended CHAMPS for its tremendous impact on the state’s healthcare system and called for broader community engagement and continued data-driven efforts in the fight against maternal and child deaths.
