Cross River State Ministry of Health has launched an intensive volunteer training program aimed at addressing the ongoing Mpox outbreak, with the support of the Nigerian Red Cross Society (NRCS). 200 community-based volunteers from the affected Local Government Areas (LGAs) have been equipped with the skills to take direct action in the Mpox response efforts.
Following the reported cases of 117 suspected and 14 confirmed cases of Mpox in the state, the need for rapid intervention became clear. Volunteers trained in Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) and surveillance will now be deployed to their communities to help with case detection, contact tracing, public education, and providing psychosocial support to those affected by mpox.
The initiative focuses on empowering local residents to be part of the solution, as they are often the first to detect, report, and manage health issues in their communities. The partnership between the NRCS and the state government is a model of regional response to infectious disease outbreaks.
