Abide By Your Hippocratic Oath Which Obliges You To Save Lives Before Other Concerns, NGF To Health Workers

By Matthew Ogune, Abuja

The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) has urged medical associations to abide by their Hippocratic oath which obliges them to save lives first before thinking of other things, particularly during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

NGF Chairman and Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi who disclosed this in a communique on Wednesday night after the forum’s seventh teleconference meeting, also appealed to health bodies to always reach out to government for resolution of any perceived grievances.

According to Fayemi, the appeal became imperative after governors received a presentation from three health associations in the country, led by Dr. Francis Adedayo Faduyile, President of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Sam Ohuabunwa, President of the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) and Comrade Abdrafiu Adeniji, President, National Association of Nigeria Nurses and Midwives (NANNM).

According to Fayemi the bodies prayed for Governors support in improving the working conditions of health workers at the frontline of the pandemic, through the provision of adequate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in all general hospitals and health facilities, training for health workers on Infection Prevention and Control (IPC), harmonization of lockdown protocols, incentives such as hazard allowances and health insurance packages for health workers in the frontline, and the inclusion of senior health workers in the operations of State Emergency Operation Centres (EOCs).

The Governor noted that members are committed to ensuring that PPE are available in all general hospitals and health facilities.

Adding: “And they are collaborating with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) to provide training to health workers, including their capacity to use telemedicine to strengthen infectious disease prevention and control and the use of PPE to stem the spread of the virus among health workers.

“In the light of rising cases of infection among health workers, State governments will engage with their health workers to ensure that their safety and welfare are protected.

“Governors are concerned with the continued movement of persons across States despite the enforcement of inter-state lockdown across states. The Forum will collaborate with the Nigeria Police Force, as well as State chapters of the National Union of Road Transport Workers and local government officials to strengthen security surveillance along state boarders.

“The Forum received update from the Governor of Edo State, H.E Godwin Obaseki, who heads the committee that liaises with development partners. In response to the fiscal impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on states, the NGF Secretariat will provide technical assistance to state governments in the preparation of their revised budgets for 2020, including guidance on macroeconomic and fiscal assumptions that reflect current realities.

“After an interactive session with Alhaji Aliko Dangote, President of Dangote Group who joined in the teleconference, Governors commended Dangote for his increasing involvement in the fight against COVID-19, and pledged to provide the necessary logistical support to ensure that palliatives get to the people who need them.”