The Mining Cadastre Office, (MCO) says it will screen its staff on Hepatitis B to save lives. Obadiah Nkom, Director-General, MCO disclosed this during the first Union Week of Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria on Tuesday in Abuja.
Nkom said the screening became imperative, as Hepatitis B kills slowly, more dangerous than COVID-19 and some staff might not be aware they have the disease.
“I don’t joke with my health, I always tell my staff to take their health seriously; I told them to go for check-up every six months to avoid loss of lives due to kidney problems and cancer.
“I cannot afford to lose any of my staff to Hepatitis B, kidney problem and other deadly diseases. We cannot be talking of mining and geology alone, we must look after our health.
“MCO will ensure as a matter of urgency to conduct screening for its staff with continuous health trainings,” he said.
He noted that labour union used to be wild dogs those days and scary on union issues and he appreciated MCO union members for their understanding.
Earlier, Dr Ayodele Adewumi, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Kinetic Health Consulting said that hepatitis virus was 30 times more infectious than HIV virus.
“Hepatitis B is slower and dangerous, much more infectious than COVID-19. It is also highly infectious hence an infected person will look healthy but dying slowly of hepatitis B.
“About 300 million people worldwide are estimated to be infected with hepatitis B, Nigeria is one of the countries with the highest incidences, a prevalence of 10-15 per cent.”
He noted that many Nigerians were currently living with hepatitis B but ignorant of the disease.
Mr Amos Falonipe, thevRegistrar, Trade Union, Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment (FMLEP) said disputes between employees of organisations were common in every society.
Falonipe urged the union of MCO to avoid dispute but ensure industrial peace at all times.
Miss Amaka Okonkwo, Vice Chairman, Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria, MCO chapter said that the association that started in 2019 had enhanced its knowledge and prospects of unionism.
Okonkwo said that the union had no regret working with the management of MCO, as there was mutual understanding and industrial peace in the organisation.
