The
Lagos State Teachers’ Establishment and Pension Office on Tuesday said that an
average of 10 teachers die each month in the post-primary teaching service of
the state.
The
Permanent Secretary of TEPO, Sewanu Ayodele-Amosu, made the disclosure at a
Sensitisation Seminar and Capacity Building on Healthy Living for Post-Primary
Teaching Staff of the state.
She
said that apart from sudden collapse resulting in either temporary or permanent
confinement in bed, the disturbing rate of deaths among teachers in the state
called for concern.
“This
is another contributory factor for this worrisome adverse health condition of
the teachers.
“This
health seminar will be held quarterly to educate teachers on the importance of
healthy living and to provide support for those that have health challenges.
“This
seminar is designed to effect real behavioural changes among staff of the
post-primary teaching service and promote capacity for maintenance and
sustainability of good and vibrant health,’’ she said.
The
Lagos State Deputy Governor, Idiat Adebule, said the state government would
continue to pay adequate attention to the needs of teachers as it recognised
their role to humanity.
Adebule
said that the Ministry of Education was working with the Ministry of Health to
issue Health Cards to teachers to enable them to access prompt medical care at
the state’s health institutions.
“The
health card will be part of the requirements for promotion as a way of
motivating our teachers to go for regular health checks.
“I
urge you to take out time and take care of yourselves and your health because
it is only when you are healthy that you can deliver efficiently,’’ Adebule
said.
Also,
Mary Adenikinju, a health expert, advised teachers to exercise regularly, eat less
of processed and cooked foods and eat more of vegetables and fruits.
Adedayo
Famakinwa, Lagos State House of Assembly Committee Chairman on Establishment,
Training and Public Service, said that teachers were curators of the future and
were expected to be healthy in mind and body.
-NAN
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