TUC Tasks Fashola on More Isolation Centres for Ebola Patients

In a statement signed by President and Secretary of the union, Comrade Bobboi Kaigama and Musa Lawal respectively, the union said Lagos State has the wherewithal in terms of human and material resources to confront the ailment and eradicate it before it gets out of hand.

TUC is making the call just as one of the nurses that attended to Patrick Sawyer, the American Liberian that died of the disease in Lagos was discharged from isolation after surviving the deadly incubation period of 21 days.

“The need to be proactive according to the TUC is pertinent since a sizeable percentage of Nigerian families have one or more members who live, work or do business in the state. The implication is that any such member of a family who contacts the disease might spread it to other members of the family”, the statement added, stressing that Lagos being the most populated state and the economic hub of the country hosts multitudes of foreigners who interact with millions of locals to earn their living.

“The flurry of activities bring the people in regular contact with one another, thus accentuating the need for intensification of the fight against Ebola. To this end, we anticipate that the anti-Ebola public awareness campaign should be stepped up, and more well-equipped quarantine/treatment centres should be set up at strategic locations within the state”, TUC said and called on the state government to engage more professionals, make all necessary consultations with stakeholders both within and outside the country and provide adequate protective measures for medical personnel and other care-givers attending to Ebola-infected persons.

“The government should also take out life insurance policies in favour of such workers. Indeed no measure that would encourage them in the fight against the Ebola menace would be out of place”, it said.

The TUC also commended concerted efforts of Nigerians so far, especially the Federal Government, for demonstrating a clear sense of responsibility and focused responsiveness to the Ebola challenge.

The union called on Nigerians to remain alert and dutifully observe all healthy practices as are needful to stamp out Ebola, including keeping their environments clean, cooking their foods well, regularly washing hands with soap, etc. as health professionals have advised.