Engage social workers in palliatives distribution, Association urges Govts

Palliatives

By Philip Yatai

Kaduna, April 20, 2020 (NAN) The Nigeria Association of Social Workers (NASOW) has called on the Federal, State and Local Governments to engage  professional social workers in the distribution of palliatives.

Dr Hussayn Idris, Chairman of the association in Kaduna State, made the call in a statement on Monday in Kaduna.

Idris commended government at all levels for supporting the vulnerable households with food items to alleviate the hardship and hunger they were experiencing following the lockdown to prevent the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19).

He, however, noted that the recent distribution of foodstuffs to vulnerable poor in Kaduna State and other parts of the country was marred with irregularities and majority of the targeted groups unreached.

Idris blamed the development on the engagement of political officers, religious and traditional leaders as well as other community members who were not trained for the complex task of food distribution to the needy.

He pointed out that the trained and professional social welfare officers available in most local government areas of the country were completely schemed out of the distribution process.

According to him, only trained and experience social workers would have guaranteed flawless distribution of the food items to the poor due to the scarce, complex and sensitive nature of the support.

“The social workers possess the necessary skills to objectively identify and facilitate the distribution of food items and other basic necessities to the vulnerable groups.

“It is high time decision-makers in the country realise the indispensable role of professional social workers in organising, mobilising and reaching out to the vulnerable groups.

“This is because social workers have been trained on how to identify and reach the helpless and the voiceless, especially during emergencies such as the COVID-19 pandemic that made provision of palliative a necessity,” Idris said.

The chairman described the ill-prepared response to the plights of vulnerable poor, occasioned by the outbreak of the deadly virus, as a “wake-up call” for governments to strengthen their social protection systems.

He stressed the need for a coordinated approach in response to the COVID-19 crisis, with social workers playing a critical role, particularly as community transmission of the virus becomes imminent.

“The spread of the virus in rural communities characterised by the absence of test facilities and non-functional healthcare facilities is better imagined than experienced.

“Therefore, involving our network of members spread across most local government areas of the country has become urgent and necessary if we must win the fight against the virus at community level.

“We are counsellors, community facilitators and advocates, working both with individuals and communities, and as such, we need to work together to overcome COVID-19.

“We are willing and available to play our role in supporting government at all levels in fighting Covid-19 pandemic,” Idris also said. (NAN)

FDY/AWA/GOK
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Edited by Olawunmi Ashafa/Olagoke Olatoye