NLC Promises Insurance Cover for Health Workers

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President of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Mr Ayuba Wabba, has said that the union would work with the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM), to facilitate the provision of insurance cover for health workers that have died of COVID-19. He made the promise during a 5-day 7th Quadrennial National Delegates Conference of NANNM, in Abuja on Tuesday. 

“We will work with you to know the number of those that have died to follow up on what they promised as insurance cover for COVID-19. We were told 800 health workers were infected with COVID-19.

“Health workers globally are entitled to hazard and inducement allowances to encourage them to work, some countries make such 50 per cent. “I am aware that in the second wave, there are so many allowances that have not been paid; I urge government to respect the understanding that we have actually reached,’’ he said.

Commending health workers for their selfless service, especially those, at the forefront of the fight against the pandemic, Wabba declared that good nursing care was key to the success of every COVID-19 case. He also decried the privatization of healthcare services, adding that policies are supposed to be people-oriented.

“Policies are meant to service the entire people. We have seen deficiency in privatisation of health care systems around the world, health is not supposed to be for profit. Health is a fundamental right of a citizen. 

Speaking further, he said “Some private hospitals in the country are taking advantage of COVID-19 to exploit people. We need to defend the larger population against exploitation”. 

The NLC President also commended NANNM for a successful change of the baton of leadership while imploring them to entrench the culture of unity and synergy amongst all members.

“Avoid divide and rule; nobody will like you more than yourselves, unity is necessary to achieve desired results,’’ he said.