LASG Developmental Strategies on Infectious Disease Research Centre for future health emergencies
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 this known at the Commemoration of this year’s World Day for Safety tagged: “Anticipate, Prepare and Respond to Crisis- Invest Now in Resilient”
He declared 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.
The Governor who was represented by the Honourable Commissioner for Special Duties and Intergovernmental Relations, Engr. Tayo Bamgbose-Martins, stated 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.
According to him, “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.
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 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 said 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, Mr. Lanre Mojola,
said 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 stated 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 spreading the message of safety, adding that “it is only a safer Lagos that can guarantee the attainment of a greater Lagos.”
He maintained 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.
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