ANSACA, Environment Ministry sign MoU to promote healthy workplaces
By Chukwuemeka Modilm
The Anambra State AIDS Control Agency (ANSACA) and the Ministry of Environment have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to promote and maintain healthy workplaces across Anambra State, with a focus on disease prevention, early detection and environmental health standards.
Speaking to journalists after signing the agreement with the Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Clem Aguiyi, the Executive Director of ANSACA, Dr. Nkem Okeke, described the partnership as a major step towards achieving a healthy workforce and a liveable and prosperous Anambra State.
Okeke explained that the agreement would enable the Environmental Task Force to enforce compliance with environmental standards, while ANSACA would provide health interventions to ensure that workers in various establishments are healthy.
He said the partnership would promote the early detection of diseases, including HIV, hepatitis and tuberculosis, to safeguard workers and the people they serve.
According to him, the initiative is designed to ensure that workplaces across the state meet appropriate health and safety standards and that residents can access services in a safe environment.
On his part, the Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Clem Aguiyi, stressed the importance of ensuring that people who provide services to the public, including food vendors and barbers, are medically and physically fit to carry out their duties.
Aguiyi said the ministry was committed to ensuring that workplaces across Anambra are safe and healthy, in line with Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s vision of building a liveable and prosperous homeland.
