By Hassan Zaggi
The Nigerian Union of Allied Health Professionals (NUAHP), has advised the federal government to set up a committee that will monitor and ensure the judicious use of all funds and materials/equipment donated by both the government, individuals and corporate bodies for the fight against Covid-19 in Nigeria.
The committee, NUAHP, suggested, should include representatives of health workers’ unions, organized private sector and many others.
The group made its position known in a statement signed by its President and General Secretary, Dr. Ogbonna Obinna and Comrade Martin Adekunle Egbanubi, in Abuja, Tuesday.
“We appeal to the Federal Government to set up a committee comprising of representatives of health workers’ unions, government, organised private sector and civil society organisation to oversight and monitor all equipment and funds put in place by government and those donated by China’s richest man, Jack Ma, the founder of Alibaba, well meaning Nigerians and corporate bodies by ensuring judicious distribution and prevent diversion to private hospital or private use.
“Hence, EFCC/ICPC should ensure that all private health facilities and institutions acquired illegally at the expense of public health institutions should be immediately impounded and converted accordingly as part of measures to address this national emergency imposed on us by COVID – 19 pandemic,” NUAHP stressed.
The group further reiterated that: “With the President’s pronouncement of total lockdown of Abuja and Lagos including Ogun state, we demand that Federal Government work out modalities to ensure that health workers in those areas are provided with adequate support to enhance human logistics and other support systems.
“We also demand for the provision of more Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and free medication for all health workers at the frontline of the war against the pandemic,” the group said.
NUAHP also advocated for the payment of N100,000 as special allowance to all health workers at the frontline of the Covid-19 war.
It also called for the upward review of hazard allowance for health workers from what it described as, the paltry ₦5, 000 to ₦100, 000; the payment of withheld salaries of April and May 2018 to health workers in Federal Health Institutions; the adjustment of the Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHESS) and the implementation of September 30, 2017 agreement.
While calling on the federal and states governments to provide adequate isolation centres, ventilators, testing kits and other necessary equipment that will allow health workers to work optimally nationwide, the group also demanded for the commencement of life insurance scheme for all health workers by the Federal Government.
