COVID-19: Learn from Lagos…. Group Tells FG.
A group of Certified Safety Reporters, under the aegis of Media Centre for Safety Reporting (MCSR), has advised the Federal Government to descend from the high horse of bureaucratic hierarchy and learn that unique methods, Lagos State is applying in fighting the global scourge as it spreads across the country.
The Centre, keeping track on the spread and containment of the novel virus in Nigeria, made this known in a statement on Tuesday, signed by the President, Mr John Thompson, to celebrate Nigerian Health care workers at the frontline, as the world marks World Health Organization Day, amidst global pandemic.
“It is pertinent to note that Lagos State, through the able leadership of the Chief Incident Commander, Gov. Babajide Sanwo Olu has demonstrated a result- oriented strategy of tackling COVID-19, which is worthy of emulation” the group said.
He commended the professional approach of applying the “healing secret” under the watchful eye of the commissioner for Health in the state, Prof Abayomi, whom he said has embraced the challenge with “professional sagacity and articulated mien”.
Mr. Thompson, who has been monitoring “the responsibility ratio of government and the response of people” in this COVID-19 period, joined the medical professional bodies and other related organizations in Nigeria to call on the Federal Government to suspend the ‘needless’ invitation of Chinese doctors to Nigeria. “This pandemic that has humbled great nations, presents an ample opportunity for Nigeria’s local health personnel to announce their arrival into the club of global health experts, with little or no tools, equipment and infrastructure to work with”.
The Safety Reporting Chief, who pointed out the obvious achievements and impressive record of discharged cases in Lagos, also called for the review of the composition of the Presidential Taskforce on COVID-19 to include Health, Safety and Environment experts in the country.
Thompson condemned what he called “unprofessional fumigation extravaganza” with no environmental impact assessment report, going on in the country. He charged the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), to wake up to its statutory obligation towards ensuring the safety of Nigerians and the environment, due to indiscriminate fumigation exercise ongoing in the country.
In a related development, the Lagos Coordinator and the National spokesman of the Chartered HSE Management body in the country, Institute of Safety Professionals of Nigeria (ISPON), Engr. Timothy Iwuagwu has called on Nigerians not to entertain fear but rather imbibe the health and safety measures as a culture. He stated this in a telephone chat with Newsreel on Tuesday.
The renowned Safety Instructor also said that government should use this opportunity to calibrate the local content in the safety and health sector by engaging HSE Professionals in health safety and Environment issues in Nigeria.
Engr Iwuagwu expressed surprise, that such a monster issue of health safety and environment is confronting Nigeria and the HSE Professionals are not involved.
He therefore called on all professional members of the Institute to always be ready to contribute their qouta in these perilous times for the safety of all.
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