CHAMPS Steps Up Fight Against Maternal, Child Deaths in Cross River
By Benjamin GBOR
The Child Health and Mortality Prevention Surveillance (CHAMPS) programme has intensified efforts to reduce maternal and child deaths in Cross River State, reaffirming its mission to build healthier communities where mothers and children have the chance to survive and thrive.
Speaking at a Town Hall Research Feedback Meeting in Akpabuyo, the Project Manager, Professor Iwara Arikpo, said CHAMPS remains focused on improving pregnancy outcomes and applying scientific investigations to determine causes of death in order to prevent future cases.
He revealed that community sensitisation has significantly raised acceptance of the Minimally Invasive Tissue Sampling (MITS) procedure to more than 95 percent, overcoming initial doubts and opening doors for evidence-based health solutions.
In her remarks, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar (UNICAL), Prof. Florence Obi, who was represented at the event by Prof. Ekaete Enang pledged the institution’s full backing. She noted that UNICAL is committed to deploying its expertise and human resources to support CHAMPS’ work in enhancing the well-being of surrounding communities.
On her part, CHAMPS Community Engagement Lead, Prof. Angela Oyo-Ita, underscored the importance of collaboration in tackling preventable child deaths. “The numbers remain troubling despite interventions. Our partnership with Emory University in the U.S. is helping us dig deeper into the causes and solutions. Together, we can stop needless deaths,” she said.
The Supervisor for Health in Akpabuyo Local Government, Mr. Elvis Usang, also commended the programme’s impact and assured of the council’s cooperation. “Our administration prioritises health, and we will continue to stand with CHAMPS to bring maternal and child mortality figures down,” he said.
Grassroots health workers echoed this support. Mrs. Orie Iyang, Officer-in-Charge of the Akpabuyo Primary Health Centre, praised CHAMPS for providing mama kits and strengthening facilities, which she said have made healthcare more affordable and accessible to families.
The forum, which drew stakeholders from religious, traditional, political, and government institutions, served as a platform to deepen partnerships against preventable deaths.
Findings shared at the session showed that CHAMPS’ activities do not conflict with cultural or religious norms. However, researchers observed that women often require family approval before engaging with health staff, while in some Muslim communities, male data collectors are barred from asking pregnancy-related questions.
The study also revealed the persistent reliance on Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs) and faith-based maternity centres, pointing to the need for stronger collaboration between formal health facilities and community providers.
The event ended with an interactive session where participants raised concerns, shared ideas, and received assurances that CHAMPS will integrate their feedback into future interventions.
