•Say “We are tired of begging for money to treat ailing colleagues”

By Juliet Ebirim

The leadership of the Association of Movie Producers,AMP, in conjunction with heads of guilds in Nollywood, Thursday, presented a programme tagged ‘Nollycare: A Nollywood Health and Business Retreat’, which held at National Theatre complex, Iganmu, Lagos to chart the way forward for the Nigerian movie industry.

Speaking on the health challenges facing practitioners in the creative industry, AMP president, Ralph Nwadike disclosed that Nollywood could be self-sustaining if practitioners would embrace opportunities available in health insurance schemes.

*Nollywood heads of Guilds at a recent forum in Lagos.

“Nollycare is an event that was initiated by the association of movie producers in conjunction with other guild heads. It is an insurance retreat. Recently, a number of our colleagues have been falling seriously sick and they are unable to fend for themselves because of the enormity of such ailments.

Most filmmakers hardly pay attention to their health. With this health insurance/group life insurance, people will be able to treat themselves and insure their future by paying a little token. Members will be made to pay this token  which will be tied to their dues so that if a health challenge comes up, they can be well taken care of. We have the support of some insurance companies and the Bank of Industry.

We believe that this will change the industry because we are tired of our people going to individuals and corporate bodies begging for assistance when they have health challenges. Nobody prays for sickness, but we have to prepare for it and that is what we are doing. You don’t have to run to friends and family for help when you fall ill, because there is something to fall back on.” he said.

Also speaking at the event, Nollywood actress Hilda Dokubo bemoaned the daily work routine of the average entertainer and how it adversely affects their health “It became a thing of worry for me when every time on our whatsapp group, there was always somebody asking for money or about to die.

Most of these deaths are avoidable. The life of an entertainer places him or her on the path of high risk. Why do we have people coming down with diabetes, high blood pressure and kidney failure. These three ailments are lifestyle based and are also avoidable.

Why do we have entertainers dying from the same ailments. And the next thing, we are seeking for funds from one politician to the other.” Also speaking at the event, the Chairman AMP Board of Trustees, Chief. Eddie Ugboma said “It has become disgraceful and embarrassing that whenever anyone of us falls sick, they run to one governor or the other for help, making us seem like beggars. This has to stop, that’s why we want to make sure that we are all insured”.