Refugees camped at the St Mark Primary School in Akwa-Ikot-Eyo-Edem, Akpabuyo Local Government Area of Cross River, on Tuesday expressed fears of possible outbreak of epidemic as a result of lack of health services in the camp.
Over 1,800 displaced Bakassi indigenes are currently in the camp.
Our correspondent who visited the camp on Tuesday, learnt that the Cross River State Government had supplied water to the camp twice since March, shortly after the inmates arrived in the school premises, and that essential drugs had only been supplied once.
A spokesman for the displaced persons, Mr. Etim Asuquo, said about 15 women, 17 men and 15 children were already facing critical health challenges from ailments suspected to be malaria and pneumonia.
Asuquo, who lamented the pathetic situation at the camp, said the sick among them were being treated with herbs as a result of the lack of appropriate medical services.
He said, “We depend mainly on rainfall to get water and the zincs are rusty. The state water board had only supplied us portable water twice and that was in March, when we just came in. The other source of water is a stream, which is a one-hour trek from here.
“Our children are becoming sick and because we are not working, we cannot afford to go to the hospital. The state government only supplied drugs once to us and the drugs given were mainly liquid syrup of pain killers and few others. We have resorted to treating ourselves with herbs. I am convinced that we will soon face major health challenge in the camp.”
The spokesman, however, acknowledged that the State Emergency Management Agency had maintained regular supply of food items, which he said were also inadequate, considering the number of persons in the camp.
“SEMA supplied 100 bags of rice and beans combined, seasoning cubes and Geisha two weeks ago. No garri, no oil, no salt. We get this kind of supply from them once in a month; unfortunately, it does not take us up to two weeks,” he said.
One of the refugees, Promise Edet, 17, who said she had been catering for her late sister’s one-year-old baby, Favour, lamented that the baby had been falling sick regularly.
“Since we got to this camp this baby has not taken any medicine or be taken to any hospital because we cannot afford it. Favour is just over a year now but she cannot even crawl not to talk of walking. She needs drugs and food and proper healthcare. Right now, she has fever and her stomach is aching and she is covered with rashes.
“We have only been grinding bitter leaf for her to drink. Again, where we sleep is also not good for her. It is too open and the cold weather is worsening the situation.”
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