The University Graduate of Nursing Sciences
Association (UGONSA) Northern zone, an umbrella body of all graduates of nursing sciences
in Nigeria has observed with keen interest activities of Governments, Non-Governmental
organisations, organized private sector and individuals channeled towards the
fight against COVID-19 and wish to observe as follows:
1 1. The
actions of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) against COVID-19 as set up by President
Muhammadu Buhari and headed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation
(SGF), Mr Boss Gida Mustapha, deserves commendation and support from all
well-meaning Nigerians. The pattern of daily update on the situation is
admirable to say the least.
2 2. Our
association reckon that the Nigerian Centre for disease control (NCDC) has been
on top of the situation right from inception providing expert leadership in
containing the situation. Our association acknowledge and appreciate the NCDC
for establishing and accrediting more testing centres within the northern
geopolitical zones in the country which has scaled up testing and
identification of cases.
3 3. We
equally appreciate the efforts of the Northern State Governments in this fight
against the dreaded COVID-19 and urge them to double their efforts to
effectively manage the established isolation centres by enforcing the relevant
laws in place meant to check the spread of the disease.
4 4. UGONSA
northern zone registers its appreciation to Governors that have demonstrated
uncommon concern for welfare of
health workers and relatively safe practice environments especially to nurses
who risk their lives daily through the provision of personal protective
equipment’s (PPEs) and motivation welfare packages to appreciate and encourage more
of their altruistic sacrifices.
5 5. While
we commend the recent decision by the Federal Government to review the hazard
allowances of health workers for three months with effect from March 2020.
UGONSA wishes to observe that the disparity in the application of the same percentage
of consolidated salary across board obviously short-changed nurses who in
reality face the greatest clinical hazard risk among the healthcare team due to
their closest round-the-clock proximity to patients. UGONSA, therefore, calls for
an immediate review of the wage package as well as the condition of service for
nurses at the State and Federal level because they remain the least paid and
the lowest placed in the civil service among the healthcare professionals despite
that they are the heartbeat and the soul of the healthcare delivery system who
centrally coordinate the activities of the patients and other healthcare team members.
6 6. UGONSA
calls on State Governors to emulate the Federal Government and improve on the
incentives of health workers especially for the nurses who are the main
frontliners.
7 7. UGONSA
is worried by the avoidable disagreements between some Northern Governors and
health workers over PPEs and welfare packages that have led to strikes and
calls on the Governors especially those of Plateau and Kaduna
States to prioritize the health of their
citizens by taking decisive actions to motivate health workers and avoid
situations that precipitate health workers’ strikes while promptly initiating
swift actions to dialogue with the striking health workers.
8 8. Our
professional association reminds Governments and nurses of their primary
purpose which is the health and security of the poor masses and call for more
actions on the health and security of the nation.
9 9. UGONSA
observes that there are still significant gaps in the provision of PPEs and safe
working environment and strongly appeal to the various State Governments to address
these gaps to protect frontline workers especially nurses who play the role of
infantry soldiers in this COVID-19 war by making the provision of PPEs constant
and regular.
10. Although the northern states have their peculiar
challenges, UGONSA observes the significant gaps in policy direction between
some northern states and the federal government. The association calls on State
Governments to measure up in keeping a unified policy direction with the federal government through the PTF in the protection of citizens and frontline
health workers against the dreaded disease.
11. UGONSA calls on the Government of Kogi State and the PTF to,
in the interest of the poor masses and health workers, hastily resolve the
ongoing disagreements on the Covid-19 pandemic. UGONSA particularly calls on
President Muhammadu Buhari to step in to resolve the contending issues.
12. We strongly urge Governments to step up on facilitating
local solutions for COVID-19 from our rich reserve of local traditional
medicines.
13. As Governments gradually ease lockdowns, UGONSA
beckons the general public to adhere strictly to the guidelines established by
NCDC such as social distancing, use of face mask, regular hand washing and
limiting movements and group gatherings so that we don’t lose the gains made in
the fight against the disease.
14. UGONSA Northern zone hails nurses for upholding the
tenets of nursing such as health promotion, illness prevention, health
restoration and alleviation of suffering despite working in a very tough and
challenging environment and urge them not to be tired of doing their good work
to humanity.
15. In conclusion, we beseech all to be patient and
patriotic to our fatherland and pray to God to end the scourge of Covid-19.
Thank you and God bless us all.
Signed:
Nur. B.B Afoi Nur. M.A. Garba
UGONSA President Northern Zone UGONSA
Secretary Northern zone
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