FG, Prepare Adequately Before Reopening Universities – NADUHS

The National Association of Doctors in University Health Services (NADUHS) has urged the federal government to contact all relevant stakeholders for inputs, consultation and adoption of effective strategies that will ensure public safety before Universities across the country resume.

(NADUHS) recently revealed this via a statement issued by Concerned members of the association, titled “January 18th, 2021 resumption of Nigerian Universities: An assessment of Federal Government’s level of preparedness amid Covid 19 pandemic second wave.”

According to the group, the federal government is yet to train health workers in University Health Services (UHS) as it prepares for the resumption of Universities and other tertiary institutions in Nigeria, and that should not be the case.

The association added that the irregularities of their salary structure should also be corrected ASAP, as some Universities still pay their medical personnel using CONTISS salary structure as against the approved CONMESS and CONHESS.

It read, “Members of NADUHS while offering their services acknowledge the inadequate provision of Personal Protective Equipment’s, (PPEs), and other essential medical consumables required in the discharge of their duties during the pandemic”.

“As at the time of going to press, the federal government is yet to pay NADUHS members and other Health Care workers in University Health Services their covid-19 hazard and inducement allowance despite Mr President’s approval since March 2020”.

“NADUHS noted the difficulty its members are going through daily while providing medical services to members of University staff, their families, and NHIS enrollees during this pandemic without motivation, training, and adequate medical equipment’s and consumables.”

“NADUHS also observed with dismay the irregularities of our salary structure as some Universities still pay their medical personnel using CONTISS salary structure as against the approved CONMESS and CONHESS”.

“For the records, Nigerians should be informed that already positive cases of Covid-19 have been recorded in some University Health facilities with morbidities recorded. The prevention of recording more cases should be a collective responsibility of the Health Care personnel, our respective University managements, and the federal government of Nigeria.”