we have learned our lessons, FG needs to invest in health sector, build global synergy,- Dr. Raymond Edoh


An international activist, Nigerian Youth Ambassador to the United States and Secretary General, Nigerian Youth Congress, Dr. Raymond Edoh has called on the federal government to invest in the health sector as an act of proactiveness ahead of unfolding threats from diseases like monkey pox, and others.

Raymond who made this call on Monday at A one Day National symposium on Assessment of Western Policies against COVID-19 held at the Army Resources Centre, Abuja stressed that the need for global collaboration can not be undermined as lessons learned during the COVID-19 shouldn't be treated with levity.



Speaking on the lingering effects of the pandemic, " COVID-19 pandemic has led to a dramatic loss of human life worldwide and presents an unprecedented challenge to public health, food systems and the world of work. The economic and social disruption caused by the pandemic is devastating: millions of people are already extreme victims of poverty, while the number of undernourished people, currently estimated at nearly 690 million globally, could increase by up to 132 million by the end of the year. Millions of enterprises face an existential threat. Nearly half of the world’s 3.3 billion global workforce are at risk of losing their livelihoods. Informal economy workers are particularly vulnerable because the majority lack social protection and access to quality health care and have lost access to productive assets.


" Up till date, many are unable to feed themselves and their families. For most, no income means no food, or, at best, less food and less nutritious food. The pandemic has been affecting the entire food system and has laid bare its fragility coupled with the insecurity challenges in the country have been preventing farmers from accessing markets, including for buying inputs and selling their produce, and agricultural workers from harvesting crops, thus disrupting domestic and international food supply chains and reducing access to healthy, safe and diverse diets. The pandemic has decimated jobs and placed millions of livelihoods at risk.


"Millions of agricultural workers – waged and self-employed – while feeding the country regularly face high levels of working poverty, malnutrition and poor health, and suffer from a lack of safety and labour protection as well as other types of abuse. With low and irregular incomes and a lack of social support, many of them are spurred to continue working, often in unsafe conditions, thus exposing themselves and their families to additional risks. Further, when experiencing income losses, they may resort to negative coping strategies, such as distress sale of assets, predatory loans or child labour.



"In the COVID-19 crisis food security, public health, and employment and labour issues, in particular workers’ health and safety, converge. Adhering to workplace safety and health practices and ensuring access to decent work and the protection of labour rights in all industries will be crucial in addressing the human dimension of the crisis. Immediate and purposeful action to save lives and livelihoods should include extending social protection towards universal health coverage and income support for those most affected. These include workers in the informal economy and in poorly protected and low-paid jobs, including youth, older workers, and migrants. Particular attention must be paid to the situation of women, who are over-represented in low-paid jobs and care roles. Different forms of support are key, including cash transfers, child allowances and healthy school meals, shelter and food relief initiatives, support for employment retention and recovery, and financial relief for businesses, including micro, small and medium-sized enterprises. In designing and implementing such measures it is essential that governments work closely with employers and workers.

"Countries dealing with existing humanitarian crises or emergencies like nigeria are particularly exposed to the effects of COVID-19. Responding swiftly to the pandemic, while ensuring that humanitarian and recovery assistance reaches those most in need, is critical and that's why we are calling on all stakeholders to help the Nigerian government salvaging the country from this critical period.


"Now is the time for global solidarity and support, especially with the most vulnerable in our societies. Only together can we overcome the intertwined health and social and economic impacts of the pandemic and prevent its escalation into a protracted humanitarian and food security catastrophe, with the potential loss of already achieved development gains", he suggested.