By Henry Uche
To avoid being caught in the web of emergencies like epidemics and pandemics, health experts have called on the Federal Government, particularly the health ministry, to be proactive like many developed countries in the world, instead of the usual reactive measures taken when the unexpected happen.
Speaking at the 12th Annual Symposium and Awards Ceremony of Health Writers Association of Nigeria (HEWAN), recently in Lagos, specialist family physicians, Dr. Adeyeye Arigbabuwo, said it was high time Nigeria took a step further and prepare ahead for “expected and unexpected contingencies” to avoid unnecessary causalities.
Arigbabuwo who’s also the immediate past national president, HealthCare Providers Association of Nigeria (HCPAN) decried the number of deaths recorded in Nigeria when ebola, COVID-19 and other deadly diseases struck the world, due to Nigeria’s dearth of preparation.
“Imagine what, Lassa fever, ebola and COVID-19 did to us. We should learn from these. Any pandemic can strike in the future. The non-contagious diseases should also give us concern. We all involved. Bacteria, virus and other do not move, it is people that moves and distribute it. Some countries are battling with some diseases; we should not fold our arms. Hand washing is necessary. We should be watchful and obey international standards like World Health Organisation (WHO), instead of running helter-skelter when pandemic strikes,” he charged.
Similarly, the Lagos state commissioner of health, Akin Abayomi felicitated with HEWAN and reaffirmed the Lagos state resolve to prioritise health and would leave no stone unturned to ensure that the health of Lagosians are not toy with.
“I felicitate with HEWAN. For us in the ministry, we shall keep doing the good works of giving attention to health of every resident in Lagos. Howbeit we must note that we’re all involved in the management of disease control. So we should not allow these emerging diseases to overtake us. So do not take your roles for granted. Let all heed to the needed health measures to avoid avoidable illness,” he urged.