The states are to engage the officials of the Nigeria Association of Resident Doctors NARD in order to forestall their intention to embark on an industrial action, Nigeria Governors’ Forum ((NGF) has said. NGF also confirmed that 32 States in the country now have molecular laboratories while investments are being directed to the remaining four states in the efforts to battle the ravaging effects of Covid-19 pandemic.
In a communiqué issued Thursday morning after the 15th teleconference meeting of the forum, which held on Wednesday, 19th August 2020, the governors also said that 29 States have received funding from the Regional Disease Surveillance Systems Enhancement (REDISSE) project to strengthen their public health response to COVID-19.
The communiqué which was signed by Kayode Fayemi, the Chairman NGF, noted that data from COVID-19 tests conducted in the country show that 20 local government areas in the country account for 50 percent of the COVID-19 cases recorded, adding that testing remains the number one priority for the government.
Fayemi said the Forum resolved to to scale up the implementation of the Risk Communications Community Engagement (RCCE) strategy developed by the Presidential Task on COVID-19 as campaigns in state and local structures.
According to him, the strategy will provide necessary impetus on communicating with the public so that communities can curtail the spread of COVID-19 in a sustainable approach.
The governors said they will continue to engage with the federal government on the suspension of state counterpart funds required for accessing the UBE Fund and the Basic Health Care Provision Fund based on the recommendations of the National Economic Council Ad-Hoc Committee on COVID-19.
“The Forum will continue to engage with the federal government on the suspension of State counterpart funds required for accessing the UBE Fund and the Basic Health Care Provision Fund based on the recommendations of the National Economic Council Ad-Hoc Committee on COVID-19 chaired by the Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo.
“State governments will continue to provide appropriate support to the independent verification teams from the Office of the Auditor General of the Federation (OAuGF) who are currently in States to conduct the 2019 Annual Performance Assessment for the SFTAS programme.
“The States are to engage the officials of the Nigeria Association of Resident Doctors NARD in order to forestall their intention to embark on an industrial action” he said.
By Chidi Ugwu,
The Independent