NASU seeks sustained funding of health sector post-COVID-19 pandemic

The Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) has urged the local, state, Federal Government and the private sector to sustain the current funding of the health sector beyond the COVID-19 pandemic.

The General Secretary of NASU, Peters Adeyemi, who lauded President Muhammadu Buhari, state governors and philanthropists, said if the current spate of funding is sustained, the Nigerian health system will develop the needed capacity that can stem medical tourism as well as brain drain in the sector.

He added: “We hope and pray that what we are currently witnessing in the health sector will not just be a flash in the pan, which will cease at the end of the pandemic. There is no doubt that if the three tiers of Government – Federal, States and Local Governments with periodic strategic interventions from the private sector, continue at this pace, there will no longer be a need for government officials and other well to do Nigerians to seek medical treatment abroad for every ailment. Nigeria may as well become a medical destination for our fellow Africans.”

The union lauded workers in the health sector especially members of the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU), who are at the forefront of the battle to save the lives of Nigerians and nationals of other countries who have tested positive and are placed in isolation in the various isolation centres across the country and those who will test positive to the virus.

NASU submitted that health workers are all united in saving the lives of their patients at the risk of their personal lives and those of their families.

The NASU Scribe maintained that it is indeed heart-warming to note that the Federal and State Governments as well as captains of industries have realised the importance of adequate funding of the health sector, which includes equipping hospitals, providing funds for continuous research and training of health workers as well as showing concern for workers’ welfare in the interest of the nation at large.

The union urged all Nigerians non-Nigerians living in the country, not only to obey stay-at-home order, but observe all other guidelines issued by government to ensure safety of lives.

“We call on all Nigerians to obey and abide by all guidelines, instructions and directives of Governments including laws put in place aimed at securing the lives of Nigerians and containing the spread of the virus as these measures are in the overall interest of all. On the other hand, we appeal to the Federal and State Governments as well as Nigerians of means, to increase and appropriately coordinate all welfare packages they are putting together, so that these welfare packages can reach the masses of this country who have been hard hit by the ongoing lockdown occasioned by the pandemic,” Adeyemi said.

NASU stressed that with the current efforts of governments and the private sector as well as the understanding and the cooperation of citizens, with the mercy of God, Nigeria as a Nation will overcome the pandemic with limited casualties against the predictions of many people.