The Society of Occupational and Environmental Health Physicians of Nigeria (SOEHPON) has enjoined the government and all employers of labour to prioritize occupational health in their various organizations to ensure business continuity.
President of the society, Dr Uche Enumah, made the call yesterday during the 2022 annual conference and Annual General Meeting of the organization in Lagos.
He said poorly managed occupational health has negative impacts on the mental health as well as productivity of the workforce.
He said the hazards around the workplace had far-reaching impacts on how much a country is able to perform economically and politically among others.
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He said, “How do we continue our work when we have political destructions, disasters, floods and all of that? We had COVID-19, Lassa fever, and monkeypox. When all these attacks a workplace, how do you still continue to do your work, and maintain your productivity, your services and your product without hindrance?
“That is what we are discussing at this conference. We are trying to teach them how to remain productive, to render our services without impairment after the major setbacks, and to ensure that businesses are not disrupted.”
Dr Musa Shaibu, Group managing director of NISA Premier Medical Group and the chairman of the local organizing committee of the conference, said business continuity is key to profitability and productivity.
“We know that occupational health has to do with the health of the people at work as well as the environment. The key asset in productivity is for the manpower to be continuously working,” he said.
