Few days after the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Oyo State Council, Oyo State Council, raised alarm over poor response by Oyo State government in the handling of the Coronavirus pandemic, the South-West Group of Online Publisher (SWEGOP) on Saturday frowned at the fire brigade approach adopted by federal and state governments to fight the virus.
The media group also called on governments at all levels to review their position on provision of primary and secondary healthcare facilities in their domains.
In statement signed by the group’s chairman, Mr. Olayinka Agboola, and Public Relations Officer (PRO), Remi Oladoye, SWEGOP noted that the pandemic had further exposed the weakness of the government, despite the huge budgetary allocations released for the health sector every year.
According to the statement, “It is obvious that our governments have not been effective and have been paying lip service to the development of health sector in Nigeria.
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“Most states don’t have facilities to tackle any outbreak of viral diseases, let alone well-equipped isolation centres where such cases can be treated.”
The group called on governments at all levels to be more proactive and put in place facilities that could enhance the operations of medical personnel in the country.
The association commended medical personnel and relevant agencies for their efforts in combating the virus.
“With the record of just one death and scores of recovery cases recorded, it is evident that our medical personnel are up to the task,” it said.
The group urged the general public and stakeholders to collaborate with the government in preventing further spread of the virus and other viruses in the country.
