Coronavirus Pandemic
In a bid to protect health workers in the frontline of the fight against Coronavirus (COVID-19), the federal government has signed Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, with professional bodies in the health sector on allowances and incentives. Boss Mustapha, secretary to the government of the federation, said the full details of the MoU will be unveiled by the minister of health soon.
At the Presidential Task Force, PTF on COVID-19 national briefing on Friday, April 24, Mustapha said in addition to what the federal government is doing, the insurance industry has responded massively to the call for support. He said the PTF has also received the Life Insurance cover to the frontline workers on COVID-19 for a maximum of 5000 health workers who are employed to fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mustapha, who also doubles as the chairman of PTF, said the premium in the sum of N112,500,000 for the cover has been fully paid by the Nigerian Insurance Industry in line with the principle of No Premium, No Cover. “The PTF wishes to thank the Insurance Industry immensely and calls on others sectors of the economy to rise up to support the efforts to fight COVID-19.
“I also call on our frontline health workers to double their efforts just as we assure them of our determination to protect them. I informed you earlier in the week that the PTF had embarked on the assessment of the readiness in nine states. The visits have been quite informative and we have as a consequence strengthened our collaboration with States.
“The PTF will be fine tuning the directions and advisories in order to effectively guide the states and for uniformity of approach. I use this opportunity to once more commend the governments of all states visited for providing leadership and resources in their preparations. I also wish to use this opportunity to restate that food security and self-sufficiency remain important to our national life.
“I therefore urge all our farmers to begin to prepare for their return to the farms as the planting season. The Federal Ministry of Agriculture has put in place arrangements for access to farm inputs, extension and others services. The PTF continues to work assiduously towards presenting a report to Mr. President after considering all critical factors.
“Let me state that these are unusual times, we are in uncharted territories and we need to forge ahead. As we work out our models, we also draw lessons from other jurisdictions that have experiences to share. We shall however continue to pursue the strategy of aggressive testing, detection, isolation, contact tracing, treatment and care. Finally, let me repeat my appeal to all Nigerians to continue to comply with the advisories. These are still the most efficient measures that can help us manage the ravaging virus,” he said.
– Apr. 24, 2020 @ 20:25 GMT |
Tags: COVID-19: FG signs MoU on welfare packages for health workers
