LASG to develop Infectious Disease Research Centre for future health emergencies
By Moses Adeniyi
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has said that the State Government is currently working on developing an Infectious Disease Research Centre to enable Nigerian researchers develop vaccines in response to future epidemic as well as making medical provisions ready for illnesses affecting citizens.
The Governor made the intention known at the event of the Lagos State Occupational Safety and Health Conference held in commemoration of this year’s ‘World Day for Safety’.
He said the State is currently investing significantly in the health sector towards putting strategic measures in place to respond to any case of future emergencies with socio-economic impacts.
According to him, the vision of the State’s investment in the health sector is channeled towards developing the sector to a robust height to reduce resort of the people to other Countries of the world for health tourism.
The Governor who was represented by the State’s Commissioner for Special Duties and Intergovernmental Relations, Engr. Tayo Bamgbose-Martins, mentioned that the leading role of the State’s antecedents towards developing capacity within its health infrastructure against the Ebola-virus set the foundation for the structures to deal responsively with the COVID-19 pandemic.
Making recourse to the Ebola virus, he said though it was curtailed in Lagos, recklessness may still result to a resurgence of the virus.
“The experience we had in curtailing the Ebola virus in Lagos provided us with knowledge which we were able to leverage upon in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We were able to quickly activate the system that was in place and build upon it to match the various dimensions that the Coronavirus presented as a pandemic,” he said.
He further assured that the State will continue to work tirelessly to make Lagos safe and secure for all residents by developing a virile health and safety system responsive for any emergency.
“With the challenges we have faced in the health sector in the face of this global pandemic, we are now more resolute and committed to develop a health system that is more efficient and responsive in dealing with any epidemic or pandemic that may occur in the future.
“In Lagos, we have put in place strategies and initiatives to ensure the delivery of safety measures ahead of whatever crisis we might be confronted with in any sector of the economy,” he said.
Applauding the Lagos State Safety Commission (LSSC), the Governor said the Commission has been instrumental in the management of COVID-19 by providing additional safety guidelines in the face of the global pandemic.
He further applauded the strategic efforts of the Commission in the enforcement of the safety guidelines in ensuring the pandemic never dealt huge blow on the State as projected.
He mentioned that given the new normal the conference in commemoration of the World Safety Day is timely, adding that the global event is a platform for enlightenment on safety measures to develop responsive systems to cope with the new normal.
In his keynote address, the Director General/CEO, Lagos State Safety Commission (LSSC), Mr. Lanre Mojola,
mentioned that the hazards of work related accidents and illness which are caused by unsafe conditions acts and practices, call for the need for Countries to deliberately put health and safety systems in place to change the narrative.
He mentioned that as a responsive government, the state is charged with providing regulations and laws required to ensure that workers can discharge their duties in a safe and conducive manner
He assured that the Commission will keep to spreading the message of safety, mentioning that “it is only a safer Lagos that can guarantee the attainment of a greater Lagos.”
He mentioned that the COVID-19 has given rise to numerous unparalleled challenges globally and put to test existing protocols on safety and health on the workplace.
“Governments, organisations and workers have been forced to think outside the box and develop new methods of work to remain productive and adjust to new reality which we call the new normal,” he said.
According to him, the experience since the advent of the pandemic made it imperative to adopt the theme of this year’s World Day for Safety tagged “Anticipate, Prepare and Respond to Crisis – Invest Now in Occupational Safety and Health Systems” which is in line with the International Labour Organisation (ILO).
He mentioned that the output of the Conference will also be used in developing the ongoing Lagos state Occupational Safety Masterplan
In her goodwill message, the Director General, Nigerian Insurance Association (NIA), Mrs. Yetunde Ilori, said insurance is one of the preventive measures to be put in place by any employer of labour.
Applauding the Lagos State Government over the management of the COVID-19, she said the State is among the very few States in Nigeria that ensured proper arrangements for the work force, particularly for health care workers.
