Coronavirus: TUC Calls for Concerted Efforts In Fight Against Scourge
By UDO ONYEKA, Lagos
Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), has charged workers in the health sector, security operatives and all Nigerians to rise up to the task posed by coronavirus, especially as the first case has been identified in the country.
In a statement signed by President TUC, Comrade Quadri Olaleye and TUC Secretary General, Comrade Musa-Lawal Ozigi said “ Reports have it that the virus has claimed thousands of lives in more advanced countries where there are better healthcare facilities and cleaner environment; one wonders the catastrophic consequence it will have in our country if not checked.
“As an organization we have always decried the collapse of the health sector and prayed that issues like this don’t come up. Unfortunately, here it is”, TUC said.
While appreciating Lagos State Government for its proactiveness, the union said it wonder what would happen if the virus was discovered in some states where the political leadership cares less.
TUC called on health workers and security operatives at strategic centres like the airport and borders to rise up to their responsibilities now, adding that a robust surveillance system must be put in place and effectively implemented to be able fight this scourge.
TUC said: “The usual nonchalant attitude must stop, or else, thousands of lives will go in. we therefore call on the government at all levels to give the health sector the attention that it deserves.
“Government should provide adequate protective equipment for health workers to be able to do their work effectively. Traveling abroad for medical care is not the recipe. Some virus are not selective. Coronavirus is on. We must rise up to the occasion now”, the Union said.
