The Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC) has called on the government and other health professionals to redouble their efforts in curbing the Lassa disease.
This was contained in a statement signed by the President General, Comrade Bobboi Bala Kaigama and made available to newsmen on Sunday.
According to him, there was need for the establishment of specialised laboratories for research and diagnosis on viral haemorrhagic fevers in each geo-political zones to enable the nation nip in the bud life threatening diseases before they go viral.
“Also, the current position and numbers of confirmatory centres for Lassa fall short of National Public Health Act, which emphasises on Universal Health Coverage. It is important that the authorities realise that the issue of health should not be taken for granted. In some nations of the world three things are very critical: health, shelter and clothing. These are modules we should emulate to complement the change mantra”, TUC noted.
The Congress stressed that it was important that the issue of training and re-training of health personnel in specialised areas towards averting the persistent health challenges be taken serious.
“It is unheard of that some health workers in a particular state ran away when someone got infected. In the past, health workers will stake out their lives to save a patient unlike what we have today. ”