The National Industrial Safety Council of Nigeria (NISCN) has expressed concern over the increasing number of sudden deaths occurring during worship sessions in religious centers across the country, particularly in churches.
The Council is a statement made available to journalist by its President Engineer Bosun Faleti attributed the rising cases of “slump and die” incidents to the lack of proper health and safety awareness and protocols within religious organizations.
“The recent death of Otunba Kunle Akinyele during his wife’s 60th birthday thanksgiving service in a Lagos church has reignited calls for the establishment of health and safety units in places of worship. NISCN believes such units could have saved his life and that of others who have died under similar circumstances.”
“These deaths are largely preventable. If basic cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) had been promptly administered by trained personnel, lives could have been saved,” the Council stated.
According to the NISCN, religious leaders often resort to prayers or the use of anointed water in emergency situations, rather than applying proven medical interventions.
To prevent further avoidable deaths, the Council is calling on the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), the Supreme Council of Islamic Affairs, and other religious authorities to establish health and safety units within their organizations. It also urged them to designate and train individuals as first aiders, fire safety officers, and emergency responders.
NISCN serves as the coordinating body for health and safety awareness and advocacy for all sectors, including religious institutions. Its efforts align with the Health and Safety Conventions of the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the National Occupational Safety and Health Policy of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment.
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