Cross River Deepens Partnership with CHAMPS to Combat Maternal, Child Deaths
By Judex Okoro
Cross River State Government is reinforcing its commitment to drastically reduce maternal and child mortality by strengthening its collaboration with the Child Health and Mortality Prevention Surveillance (CHAMPS) programme.
This renewed focus was highlighted by Dr. Vivian Otu, Director General of the Cross River State Primary Health Care Development Agency (CRSPHCDA), at a recent CHAMPS-hosted town hall meeting in Calabar.
Dr. Otu emphasized the state government's belief in the power of data to save lives.
“CHAMPS has provided us with crucial data to understand why our women and children are dying,” she stated.
“This insight is helping us design smarter, more effective health responses. We are absolutely committed to expanding this partnership to reach even our most remote communities.”
"Cross River remains one of the few Nigerian states actively implementing a CHAMPS programme, showcasing its dedication to evidence-based health planning and intervention. She stated
Dr Otu described the town hall engagement as timely and vital, noting that it provided a platform to bring together CHAMPS leadership, state health officials, community stakeholders, and traditional rulers to review progress and chart a new course.
In his remarks, Professor Martins Meremikwu, Chief Investigator for CHAMPS in Cross River, highlighted the significant milestones recorded through collaboration with the University of Calabar and the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital.
He said the initiative has made measurable progress in reducing preventable child deaths through strong community engagement, data-driven strategies, and improvements in the health system.
“A cornerstone of CHAMPS' success is the establishment of Community Advisory Boards in four local government areas: Calabar South, Calabar Municipality, Akpabuyo, and Bakassi,” Prof. Meremikwu said.
“These boards are our eyes and ears on the ground. They are vital in identifying, reporting, and supporting investigations into child mortality cases.”
He explained that CHAMPS operates in seven LGAs in the Southern Senatorial District, where it applies global best practices to investigate under-five deaths, stillbirths, and poor pregnancy outcomes.
“We’re not just counting numbers; we’re uncovering the ‘why’ behind every child lost. This critical understanding allows us to recommend precise policy actions to the government and other health stakeholders,” he stated.
To further strengthen maternal and child health services, Prof. Meremikwu disclosed that CHAMPS recently donated seven ultrasound machines to selected health centres across the state.
“This initiative aims to enhance prenatal care and reduce pregnancy complications,” he explained.
“Lack of access to diagnostic services contributes significantly to maternal and infant deaths. These ultrasound machines are already making a tangible difference in the early detection of high-risk pregnancies,” he added.
In his presentation, Professor Iwara Arikpo, CHAMPS Project Manager, outlined the programme’s core objectives to include reducing child mortality, improving pregnancy outcomes, building local capacity, and addressing healthcare facility gaps through a robust data-to-action approach.
“CHAMPS isn’t just about statistics. We transform data into concrete action—addressing diagnostic shortages, training needs, broken referral systems, and more,” Arikpo said.
“The next phase will focus on scaling these efforts and embedding sustainability at every level.”
He noted that CHAMPS contributes to a global surveillance network, helping Nigeria align with international best practices in maternal and child health monitoring.
Prof. Arikpo commended the Cross River State Government for its unwavering support and commitment to utilizing CHAMPS data and recommendations to shape health policy.
He also credited the collaboration with traditional rulers and community leaders for expanding the programme’s reach.
“Our partnership with communities is foundational. Without their support and trust, surveillance wouldn’t be effective,” he said.
“We’re building a system designed to last beyond donor funding by weaving it into the fabric of the community.”
Discussions at the town hall focused on increasing community awareness, strengthening referral pathways, mobilizing resources, and integrating CHAMPS’ findings into local government health decision-making.
The Mayor of Calabar, Apostle James Anam, who was represented by the Council Secretary, Comrade Iso Edim, pledged the Council's readiness to deepen collaboration and support efforts to improve healthcare services.
He commended CHAMPS for its tremendous impact on the healthcare system and called for stronger government backing, broader community engagement, and continued use of data to reposition Cross River as a model in Nigeria’s fight to end preventable maternal and child deaths.
