Professor Kalu Uka of the Department of Theatre Arts, University of Uyo, has called for the establishment of a health insurance scheme for artistes in the country by the National Association of Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners (NANTAP).
Speaking during the 2018 NANTAP National Delegates Convention in Uyo, Uka said that artistes in the country are exposed to hazard in the course of their duties and therefore require attention health wise.
The Professor who warned artistes to refrain from excessive smoking and drinking to stay healthy said, “The artistes must be healthy to perform. There should be health insurance for all artistes to avoid them dying young.
“I like NANTAP to take serious the health condition of artistes. The health of artistes is very important”.
Also speaking the National President of NANTAP, Mr Israel Eboh, said the association came up with the theme,”Productive Health, Family Planning and National Development: The Nigerian Artiste in Promoting a Worthy Cause,” to remind artistes of their health.
He said that the population of the country was growing and requires government at all levels to put adequate plans in place to cope with the increasing growth in population.
He said the organisation has envisaged that population growth is going to be a problem in the future.
“As a country we must know that the population is growing every day. What are the plans that we are putting in place so that development will be ahead of this growth.
“If you look at it, population growth means more pressure on electricity, health and educational facilities. Are we planning for this growth? If we are not planning for this growth then we are not doing well,”Eboh said.
According to him, artistes have taken the steps to educate and inform the people on family planning through their performances.
