By Isaac Aqua, Guest Writer
As maternal and infant mortality rates continue to trigger concern across Nigeria, Cross River , is charting a new course, anchored on data, community engagement, and innovation, to turn the tide.
In a significant move to curb preventable deaths among pregnant women and children under five, the state government has reaffirmed its commitment to deepening collaboration with the Child Health and Mortality Prevention Surveillance (CHAMPS) programme.
The renewed partnership was solidified during a recent CHAMPS-hosted town hall meeting in Calabar, which drew a wide cross-section of stakeholders including healthcare professionals, policymakers, traditional rulers, community leaders, and local government officials.
The meeting provided a platform to assess ongoing efforts, share challenges, and chart a way forward.
At the heart of the engagement was CHAMPS’ distinctive approach to health intervention. Unlike conventional methods, the CHAMPS model focuses on uncovering the root causes of child and maternal deaths through meticulous surveillance and research.
With operations in seven local government areas, Calabar South, Calabar Municipality, Akpabuyo, Bakassi, Odukpani, Akamkpa, and Biase, CHAMPS has positioned itself as a life-saving initiative with deep community roots.
“CHAMPS is not just about statistics,” explained Professor Martins Meremikwu, the Chief Investigator for CHAMPS in Cross River. “We investigate each death, understand what went wrong, and then translate that insight into targeted interventions. It’s a data-to-action model designed to fix systemic gaps and improve health outcomes.”
A critical component of CHAMPS’ success has been its community integration. Professor Meremikwu highlighted the role of Community Advisory Boards across the participating LGAs, which act as vital links between data collectors and the people.
“These boards ensure our work is rooted in trust, transparency, and cultural sensitivity,” he noted.
Speaking on behalf of the state government, Dr. Vivian Otu, Director General of the Cross River State Primary Health Care Development Agency (CRSPHCDA), praised CHAMPS as a transformative initiative shaping public health policy in the state. “CHAMPS gives us scientific clarity. It tells us why our women and children are dying and guides our response,” she opined.
Dr. Otu also reaffirmed the government’s plan to expand the initiative statewide. She noted that part of this strategy involves training and regulating Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs), who remain the first point of care for many women, especially in rural areas. However, she stressed that training must go hand-in-hand with strong supervision and referral systems.
“We understand why some women prefer TBAs, religious fears, cost, or access. But TBAs cannot handle emergencies. That’s why we are putting structures in place to ensure that high-risk cases are referred promptly to equipped facilities,” she explained.
The town hall also highlighted recent progress made by CHAMPS, including its donation of seven ultrasound machines to select primary health centres in the state. Professor Meremikwu described the donation as a game changer. “Many of our facilities lacked basic diagnostic tools. These machines are already improving prenatal care and enabling early detection of complications,” he said.
The integration of local CHAMPS data into a global surveillance network was another milestone shared during the event, positioning Nigeria to align with international benchmarks in maternal and child health.
Community voices echoed strong support for CHAMPS and its expansion. Paramount Ruler of Calabar South, His Royal Majesty Etubom Nyong Effiom Okon I, represented by the Clan Head of Efut Abua West, High Royal Highness Muri Joseph Effiong Edem, commended the Otu administration’s prioritization of healthcare, while calling for improved manpower and infrastructure in health facilities.
“Our health workers are trying, but without tools, water, power, or beds, how far can they go?” he asked. “We need urgent rehabilitation of our PHCs, especially in rural LGAs where maternal deaths are most common. We thank God that the Otu-led government is already taking steps to fix these gaps.”
Also speaking, Mayor of Calabar, Apostle James Anam, represented by Council Secretary Comrade Iso Edim—pledged the Council’s continued support for CHAMPS. He called for greater investment and institutionalization of the programme.
“CHAMPS is building a system that can outlive donor funding,” Edim said. “But we must embed it in our state’s health governance framework to sustain its impact.”
CHAMPS Project Manager, Professor Iwara Arikpo, outlined the programme’s four-pronged focus: reducing child mortality, improving pregnancy outcomes, strengthening healthcare systems, and building local capacity. “We are not here f