AU insures Nigerian Ebola volunteers

Posted by admin Africa & World Politics, Headlines Tuesday, December 16th, 2014

The African Union has said it provided a comprehensive insurance coverage for Nigerian health workers who are currently on volunteer jobs in Liberia and Sierra Leone.

About 250 health workers from Nigeria left for the two African countries on December 4 to help curb the spread of the Ebola Virus Disease. According to the World Health Organisation, there has been more than 18,464 cases, with more than 6, 000 deaths since the latest outbreak started last year.

Responding to an e-mail inquiry from our correspondent, the African Union Commission’s Director of Social Affairs, Mr. Olawale Maiyegun, said the health workers had been insured against “health, disability, medical evacuation, death, malpractice and negligence.’’

The insurance coverage, according to him, was at the behest of the AUC.

“It is provided by the African Union. However, nothing precludes or prevents the Federal Government from providing additional insurance, if it so desires,’’ he said.

Maiyegun added that while three Nigerian Ebola survivors were part of the team, “most of the volunteers have experience in fighting the EVD in Nigeria.

“The AU Support to Ebola Outbreak in West Africa was established by the African Union Peace and Security Council on August 19 via its decision to send civil-military medical mission to the Ebola-affected countries.

“Only the African Union has an established framework and has already deployed medical volunteers to Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea since September 18.’’

-Punchwp_posts