The Cross River State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Egbe Ayuk, has commended the National Association of Seadogs (NAS) for constructing a new borehole at the Idundu Primary Healthcare Centre in Akpabuyo Local Government Area to meet the water needs of the facility and the surrounding community.
As part of its quarterly meeting held in Calabar, the association identified the lack of potable water at the health facility and decided to undertake the project.
According to Dr. Joseph Oteri, the International President of the Association, also known as NAS Capoon, the initiative is part of the broader efforts of the NAS Medical Mission to enhance healthcare delivery and provide essential services to remote communities.
“During our quarterly meetings, we identify a project in a remote community and provide support in critical areas of need. We conducted a medical mission in this community, attending to over 300 patients requiring dental and ophthalmology care, among other services.”
“In the case of the Idundu Primary Healthcare Centre, we identified a non-functional borehole. We attempted to revive it, but it was beyond repair, so we decided to sink a new borehole. This project is for the sake of humanity,” Oteri said.
Speaking during the unveiling of the water project, Commissioner Ayuk stated, “The components of a PHC include water supply, not only for the facility but also for the community. If you have a facility with the best care but no water, it undermines the quality of services provided.”
He called on other organizations and agencies to emulate this partnership model, emphasizing that collaborative efforts are vital in addressing the health challenges faced by communities across Cross River State.
“We commend NAS for their efforts and urge other well-meaning organizations to follow suit. Providing essential services is paramount, and water supply is a critical need. We encourage other stakeholders to visit our PHCs and health facilities to identify and address gaps.”
“This borehole will not only serve the PHC but also benefit nearby residents. The community members are the true owners of this facility; they must ensure it is well-maintained and does not fail,” Ayuk added.
Similarly, the Director-General of the Cross River State Primary Health Care Development Agency (CRSPHCDA), Dr. Vivien Otu, noted that the Idundu PHC has been slated for renovation, adding that the funds originally allocated for the borehole component would now be redirected to other needs of the facility.
She said, “I am delighted that the association chose to undertake this project at the Idundu PHC, as it is one of our high-performing PHCs in Akpabuyo Local Government Area. Their antenatal, delivery, and immunization records are impressive.
The Governor of the state, Prince Bassey Otu, has signed a World Bank project to renovate 82 facilities, and Idundu is among them. There is much work to be done, and the funds initially earmarked for the borehole will now be reallocated to other areas.”
“We thank the National Association of Seadogs for this relief. We expect such corporate social responsibility initiatives from organizations, as the government cannot do it all. With 1,045 PHCs and health posts in the state, over 70 percent of these facilities are dilapidated. We need corporate bodies, religious organizations, and individuals to assist in revitalizing them. No single entity can do it alone. I urge the workers here to maintain this facility to serve both the center and the immediate community.”
The Clan Head of Idundu, His Royal Highness Archibong Archibong, also commended NAS for their gesture.
He said, “I want to thank the National Association of Seadogs for their humanitarian activities. We are grateful to them for considering us worthy to benefit from their medical mission and the borehole project at this PHC, situated in the Ubong-Atai clan.”
The construction of the new borehole at the Idundu Primary Healthcare Centre by the National Association of Seadogs (NAS) represents a significant step toward improving healthcare delivery and community well-being in Akpabuyo Local Government Area. Coming at a time when access to primary healthcare is unequivocally crucial, it astounds that this project addresses a critical need for potable water, which is essential for the effective functioning of the healthcare facility and the surrounding community. The initiative enhances hygiene, supports medical services, and ensures better health outcomes for patients and residents alike.
Moreover, amongst other benefits, the project underscores the importance of collaborative efforts between organizations and government agencies in addressing healthcare challenges. It serves as a model for corporate social responsibility, demonstrating how targeted interventions can make a tangible difference in underserved communities. The window for redirection of funds originally allocated for the borehole to other facility needs further amplifies this project’s impact. The spare resources can now be utilized efficiently to address multiple gaps in healthcare infrastructure.
Indeee, it is a testament to the power of partnerships and the enduring value of humanitarian efforts in transforming lives and fostering sustainable development.