Here comes good news for Nigerian health workers who are the heroes of the ongoing war against dreadful coronavirus in the country as the federal government is working with stakeholders to restructure medical and life insurance for them.
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, made this known at the Presidential Taskforce briefing on COVID-19 in Abuja on Friday.
Healthcare workers are vulnerable to COVID-19 virus as they are first responders to patients.
Some health workers working at isolation Centres across affected states have reportedly complained over lack of necessary insurance and other welfare policies.
One of the health workers at the Lagos Isolation Centre, Blessing Israel, had told Premium Times NG that, ”While we care for the patients, nobody cares for us. Despite being the backbone of the health sector in this period, there is nothing like a welfare package or insurance for us.”
Following the complaint, the SGF, said the insurance for health workers is being planned considering the danger they are exposed to during this COVID-19 pandemic
“In recognition of the danger to which our frontline health workers are exposed to, government is working with other stakeholders to structure medical and life insurance cover for their protection.
“I, therefore, wish to assure them of our commitment and urge them to put in their utmost best as they battle to save us from this ravaging disease,” Mustapha said.
In his remarks, the Minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire, commended the health workers for their efforts so far.
”I must at this juncture commend our frontline health workers who are doing a great job in case identification and management.
As we prepare strategies to contain COVID-19 outbreak, we must not lose sight of other health challenges in our country.
”Routine healthcare service must continue in all hospitals. Only a wing of tertiary centres needs to be put to use for infected patients control.
”It is important that we do not drop the ball and lose gains made in many areas of healthcare, including maternal and child health and immunization,” he said.
Nigeria has recorded 210 confirmed cases of COVID-19, out of which 20 people have been discharged after recovering from the virus and has so far recorded four deaths from the total number.
It is, however, uncertain if health workers are among the recorded cases as their identities are not disclosed officially. Only persons who test positive or their associates are allowed to disclose such identities.
