Environment
Nigerians Must Encourage, Sustain Hand Washing Culture – Group
The Society for Water and Sanitation (NEWSAN), has called for sustenance of hand washing culture at all times to prevent the spread of disease and promote hygiene in the country.
The national Coordinator Of NEWSAN, Mr Benson Attah made the call in Abuja , in an interview with the Tide source on the occasion of the 2022 World Hand Hygiene Day.
Attah said that such culture must be imbibed, as recent happenings globally had shown the critical role that hand washing played in disease prevention.
NAN reports that World Hand Hygiene Day is a global initiative annually celebrated on May 5, and the theme of this year’s theme is “A Health Care Quality and Safety Climate or Culture”.
According to him, all stakeholders must encourage Nigerians to imbibe a hand washing culture as the first line of barrier toward infection prevention and control.
“The importance of hand hygiene has been revealed in the last two years with the advent of COVID-19 when it comes to prevention of disease among citizens within the family.
“Most diseases that majority of Nigerians face can be linked to poor hygiene, with this awareness, it is crucial that we drive it to larger audiences in both urban and rural areas.
“If we take particular attention to hand hygiene, the majority of these diseases will stop affecting people and they will be free from an unnecessary outbreak of diseases.
“Most of these diseases occur from things we put in our mouth, and we usually touch different places, do different things without being conscious,” he said.
Attah also urged parents of little children to always wash their hands, and the children’s too as this would break disease transmission.
He expressed worry over the actions of many Nigerians, especially in offices for abandoning the COVID-19 disease prevention protocols, saying this was not meant to be.
Attah, however, called on all stakeholders to ensure that hand washing facilities were made available and used in all public places.
“Hand washing should be part of our daily lives, in schools, markets, all public places, it should not be a one-off thing, but as part of our lifestyle”, he said.
According to WHO, the 2022 theme focused on recognising that everyone can add to a culture of safety, and quality by cleaning their hands.
This will in turn encourage people to clean their hands at the right times and with the right products.
The National Orientation Agency (NOA) on Thursday, launched an awareness campaign, aimed at educating residents on the increasing impact of climate change.
The campaign also seeks to enlighten residents on the urgent need for personal and community protection measures.
During the launch in Uyo on Thursday, the Akwa Ibom Director of NOA, Mr Mkpoutom Mkpoutom, said that the campaign aims at enlightening residents, about the changes in weather patterns.
He said that this includes unpredictable rise in temperatures, and how these changes threaten public health across the state.
Mkpoutom noted that the current weather was not harmattan, but an extreme form of air pollution, which is harmful to health as it could cause oxidative stress which affects body balance.
“Our environment is changing rapidly, and the effects are evident in the disruptions faced by our communities.
“It is paramount that every citizen of Akwa Ibom understands these changes and take necessary steps to protect themselves, their families, and their livelihoods,” he said.
He appealed to citizens to take the following precautions which include wearing of nose mask, drinking sufficient water, covering of food and water to keep away dust, washing fruits thoroughly before eating, among others.
He directed all NOA structures within the state to engage with local communities through town hall meetings and collaboration.
He also urged engagement with schools and community leaders, to disseminate vital information on early warning signs, as well as safety protocols during extreme weather conditions.
The Chairman of Epe Local Government Area of Lagos State, Ms Surah Animashaun, has urged traders of Aiyetoro and Oluwo fish markets to consistently ensure a hygienic trading environment.
She urged the traders to maintain cleanliness and observe proper environmental sanitation in the markets.
Animashaun said this during a visit to some of the market areas in Epe on Saturday.
She said that clean markets were critical to public health.According to her, poor sanitation could lead to the outbreak of communicable diseases, especially in fish markets, where waste management must be handled with extra care.
The council chairman urged traders to dispose of refuse appropriately, avoid indiscriminate dumping of waste, and ensure regular cleaning of stalls and surroundings
She noted that environmental hygiene is a collective responsibility, adding that everyone should be involved in this development.
Animashaun also warned that the local government would not hesitate to enforce existing environmental laws, including sanctions against defaulters.
She assured traders of the council’s commitment to providing adequate waste disposal facilities and regular monitoring to sustain a clean and healthy market environment.
The council boss also urged traders to desist from selling by the roadside, so as to avoid accidents, noting that several motor accidents had occurred along the Aiyetoro market area.
“We, therefore, urge traders to stop selling on the roadside,” she said.
President, Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Mrs Margaret Oguntala, has inaugurated the construction of 18 units residential terrace in highbrow Alausa area of Lagos toward bridging the nation’s shelter gap.
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