The World Health Organisation (WHO) has initiated Sanitation Safety Planning (SSP) interventions in five states to combat the transmission of faecal-oral diseases and enhance sanitation across the country.
Dr Edwin Isotu-Edeh, National Consultant for Public Health and Environment at WHO Nigeria, announced the implementation during the National Workshop on Safely Managed Sanitation (SMS) on Thursday in Abuja.
The states–Lagos, Bayelsa, Niger, Sokoto and Bauchi—drawn from the six geopolitical zones, are the focal points for this comprehensive effort which started in 2021.
The interventions aim to address various challenges, such as fighting open defecation, combating water-borne diseases like cholera, addressing Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), and facilitating the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 6.
According to him, the move comes in response to the alarming health risks associated with poor sanitation, including outbreaks of WASH-related diseases such as cholera, typhoid fever, diarrheal diseases, and neglected tropical diseases.
Discussing Nigeria’s national disease burden, Isotu-Edeh highlighted that a significant 29 per cent was linked to environmental risk factors, including inadequate WASH services, climate change, and chemical exposure.
He pointed out alarming sanitation statistics, indicating that 48 million people engaged in open defecation, with a mere 4.5 per cent of Nigeria’s WASH investment allocated to sanitation.
Isotu-Edeh emphasised the necessity for change, highlighting the absence of sanitation in the country’s yearly economic plan.
He urged political actors to prioritise comprehensive sanitation measures for improved public health, saying the private sector involvement would be beneficial.
“It is worrisome that sanitation has not been positioned in our economic plans, however, there are huge benefits in its value chain; we must all make sanitation attractive and get champions that would drive the change process,’’ he said.
Addressing the escalating vulnerability of health systems due to climate change, he stressed that a temperature rise of 2-3°C was projected to increase the risks of water-borne diseases like cholera, typhoid, and lassa fever.
Dr Ibrahim Kabir, Director General of Bauchi State Environmental Protection Agency (BASEPA), highlighted the pressing issue of faecal sludge management in the state, posing a threat to public health safety.
He said that health risks stemming from water contamination, due to improper disposal of faecal sludge, prompted the training of 1,063 manual pit latrine evacuators.
Kabir emphasised the ongoing development of Faecal Sludge Management guidelines and stressed the importance of fostering an environment conducive to private sector involvement in the sanitation value chain.
While advocating for attitudinal change, he urged all stakeholders to contribute to enhancing sanitation and promoting hygiene in the state.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the gathering, which brought together stakeholders from national and subnational levels, development partners and the private sector, marked a significant step towards achieving universal and sustainable access to sanitation. (NAN) www.nannews.ng
Edited by Chijioke Okoronkwo
By Tosin Kolade The World Health Organisation (WHO) has initiated Sanitation Safety Planning (SSP) interventions in five states to combat the transmission of faecal-oral diseases and enhance sanitation across the country. Dr Edwin Isotu-Edeh, National Consultant for Public Health and Environment at WHO Nigeria, announced the implementation during the NationalContinue Reading
By Jessica Dogo The Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, has advocated for a robust technology workforce to spearhead digital revolution in the public sector. Tijani made the call at a one-day event titled “Talent, Technology and Transformation”. The event was the inaugural ceremony of DevsInGovernment,Continue Reading
By Philomina Attah The Federal Government has emphasised the necessity of creating an integrated disaster database and risk information management system for the country. Mr Mustapha Ahmed, the Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), said this in Abuja during a technical workshop on the United Nations Risk ReductionContinue Reading
By Taiye Olayemi Dr Michael Kunnuji of Sociology Department, University of Lagos, on Thursday called on the Federal Government to establish functional clinics in all Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps across the country. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Kunnuji made the call in Lagos at the presentationContinue Reading
By Sumaila Ogbaje Gov. Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti has called on the military high command to provide more security presence in various parts of the state to forestall future security breaches in the state. A statement in Abuja on Thursday by the Acting Director of Defence Information, Brig.-Gen. Tukur Gusau, statedContinue Reading
How granite mining is exposing Kaduna community to health, economic challenges By Mustapha Adamu Yauri, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) Malam Ahmed Abubakar, like most residents of the Farakwai Community in Igabi Local Government Area (LGA), Kaduna State, received the granite mining companies in the community with euphoria. Abubakar, popularlyContinue Reading
By Oluwaseun Nubi Mutiu Adepoju, Nigerian ex-international, has urged the Super Eagles to keep their defence strong and maintain their style of play in their next match against Angola in the 2023 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) competition in Côte d`Ivoire. Adepoju, who was part of the Eagles squadContinue Reading
By Olayinka Olawale The Food and Agriculture Organisation Representative ad interim in Nigeria and to ECOWAS, Mr Dominique Koffy Kouacou, has assured the Lagos State Government of the organisation’s support to attain food security. Kouacou gave the assurance when he paid a courtesy visit to the Lagos State CommissionerContinue Reading
By Augusta Uchediunor Bank & Entrepreneur Africa (B&E) has set up #ItsToughEnough – a bold online initiative that harnesses the know-how of world-leading entrepreneurial experts to help Africans build viable businesses. Anne Agbakoba, Publisher, Bank & Entrepreneur Africa, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of NigeriaContinue Reading
By Maureen Okon The newly deployed Pakistani High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr Sohail Khan, on Thursday said his country is willing to work closely with Nigeria to strengthen the economic ties between the two countries. Khan said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.Continue Reading
