Director General of the Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr Janet Ekpenyong on Monday wept profusely when she visited the family of middle-aged and physically challenged Ndifreke Sylvester over the loss of their four children following a landslide in the state.
DAILY POST broke the news of a landslide in the community after a heavy downpour on the 13th of July 2022, a tragedy that consumed four children of the same parents and has now attracted humanitarian responses.
The DG expressed pain over the colossal damage that the landslide caused and the wreckage to Ndifreke’s household.
Ekpenyong who represented the state governor, Prof Ben Ayade became emotional when she visited to donate medical and other relief items to Ndifreke and other survivors.
She said the loss has been one of the most devastating news that hit her in recent times.
She promised to keep a day-to-day watch over the survivals and ensure that, best practices are carried out on them in the General Hospital.
She further promised the family, the government’s commitment to ensure that their welfare and that of other survivors are well taken care of at all times.
“This is a very sad news to behold; waking up to hear of this quantum loss and damages left me devastated all day.
“It’s not easy to lose a loved one let alone having four of your children killed in one day.
“The Governor and his dear wife, Senator Ben and Dr Linda Ayade sympathize with the family. They sent us to visit the family, provide both medical and welfare supports and to see that, the two surviving kids are doing well and responding to treatment.”
The government promised to defray all medical expenses and ensure that their house is rebuilt.
The landslide incident occurred at Okong-Mbang village, off Nasarawa Community in Calabar.
Unemployed Ndifreke who is physically challenged, his wife and two other children had escaped while the other four who were having their meals were submerged.