The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) has called on all stakeholders to support and cooperate with the federal government in its effort to curb the spread of the Ebola virus in the country.
The Vice-President of the congress, Mr. Issa Aremu, who made the call in Kaduna yesterday at a one-day sensitisation workshop organised by the National Union of Textile Garment and Tailoring Workers Union of Nigeria (NUTGTWN), also demanded that a posthumous honour be accorded the late Dr. Ameyo Stella Adadevoh who died recently following her infection with the disease as a result of her heroic spirited resistance against Patrick Sawyer’s attempt to escape restriction as an Ebola patient.
Aremu, who is also the President of NUTGTWN, commended the efforts and measures so far taken by the federal and all state governments in handling the situation.
He stressed the need for a continuous enlightenment among the populace as there is no vaccine, and no cure for the disease for now.
“Like AIDS, prevention remains the best strategy we must employ. Above all, we must make lifestyle choices which will help to combat the epidemic.
“This sensitisation is put together to address the 6Ws of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), namely What is it, Who can contact it, Where it can be transmitted, How can it be contained, When can it be fatal and Which measure can be taken to prevent and manage the symptoms.
“Above all, there is the need for continuous enlightenment and sensitisation on the Ebola virus. This explains why we are holding this workshop to enlighten our members about the disease and ways to prevent it.
The labour leader however stated that as deadly as the Ebola virus disease is, “we should not forget that there are other diseases like malaria, polio and cholera which have cure but are still rampant in the country” pointing out that “as we battle with the Ebola virus disease, we should do more with other diseases with known treatment and prevention.”
He further commended the recent resolution of the crisis in the health sector that led to the calling off of strike action by doctors under Nigeria Medical Association( NMA), adding that the NLC was impressed that the government had withdrew the earlier sack order of the doctors.
According to him, the numerous health challenges particularly, the threat posed by the Ebola virus cannot be tackled if crisis continues to persist in the health sector.
He urged the government to provide health workers with the necessary tools, including insurance covers to deal with the latest menace of Ebola.