By Felix Kuyinu
A Lagos based group, Assocation of Retired Directors of Finance and Accounting, ARDOFALPS, has called for an outright implementation of Nigeria’s Occupational Standard Law, 2012, to tackle medical challenges faced in firms and public places in the society.
The association hinted that enforcing the law will create an avenue for implementation of safety measures that has been largely ignored, hence, leading to unwanted conditions suffered by citizens of the country.
Speaking through it’s Vice President, Adedoyin Oseni, at a three-day training exercise tagged “First Aid at Work”, the firm disclosed that the measure will also attend to vulnerabilities which occur due to inadequate preparedness.
Oseni during the program held recently said that the law will mandate organizations to ensure medical capabilities at workplaces.
The association’s Vice President noted that the law holds a crucial role in saving lives as it could significantly reduce the number of preventable deaths caused by the lack of immediate medical intervention.
She said, “The Occupational Standard Law of 2012 requires that organizations have the necessary equipment and trained personnel to respond to medical emergencies, but unfortunately, enforcement is lacking, and many workplaces are not equipped to handle such situations.
“The glaring absence of essential medical equipment, such as defibrillators, in most Nigerian workplaces and public spaces is a thing to be corrected. In countries like the United Kingdom, defibrillators are readily available in schools, marketplaces, and even on the streets, with the public well-informed about their use.
“In Nigeria, we lack not only the equipment but also the awareness, people don’t know what to do in emergencies, and this ignorance can be fatal.”
She continued, “The difference between life and death can be as little as four minutes, and without proper intervention, many lives are lost unnecessarily.
“The should be actions which extend beyond the workplace. There should be an availability of life-saving equipment and first aid training in public venues, religious centers, and recreational areas.
Oseni advised the government to take immediate steps in ensuring compliance with the law, thereby making these safety measures a standard practice across the country.
Chairman of the association, Simon Asegere, recalled the motive behind it’s establishment. He said that the motivation came due to the frequent occurrence of senior civil servants falling ill and passing away shortly after retirement.
Asegere said, “We noticed that many of our senior colleagues, after retiring, would fall sick and die within months. We spent so much money on treatment and care for some of them, but despite our efforts, many of these deaths were untimely. This was the catalyst for forming our association to ensure that retired directors receive the necessary care for their welfare and health.
“The stress and lack of immediate medical knowledge among colleagues have contributed to sudden collapses and deaths in the workplace. This association is not only focused on retired directors but also aims to address the health challenges faced by active civil servants.
“To combat these issues, the association has taken steps to train its members and extend this training to other civil servants, particularly those in the accounting sector.
“We are a little bit elderly, and we understand the work environment of accountants who often work late into the night. We want to ensure that if anyone collapses in the office, their colleagues will know what to do before seeking proper medical attention.
“The government needs to take the lead in implementing necessary measures to protect the lives of civil servants. Life must be important to all of us and it is the duty of the government to be in the lead. We are doing our part, but the government must also take the necessary steps to save lives.
