By Obiabin Onukwugha
Environment advocacy body, Climate Africa Media Initiative Center (CAMIC), has stated that improved sanitation is vital to tackling the spread of vector-borne diseases.
According to CAMIC, vector-borne diseases, such as malaria, dengue fever, and cholera, are responsible for millions of illnesses and deaths annually, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions.
It noted that poor sanitation, stagnant water, and inadequate waste management create breeding grounds for vectors like mosquitoes, flies, and rodents, exacerbating the prevalence of these diseases.
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“Sanitation is not just a matter of convenience but a fundamental pillar of public health. By improving waste disposal systems, maintaining clean environments, and promoting hygiene education, we can break the cycle of vector-borne diseases and save countless lives,” the body noted in a statement signed its Chief Growth Officer of CAMIC, Pius Alabi on Tuesday, December 17.
CAMIC emphasized community-led sanitation initiative, hygiene education campaigns, infrastructural development, integrated vector management, as some of the measures to combating vector-borne diseases.
CAMIC urged governments, NGOs, and the private sector to collaborate on innovative and scalable sanitation solutions.
“Policymakers are encouraged to prioritize sanitation in their climate resilience and health strategies to mitigate the impacts of climate change, which has been shown to exacerbate vector-borne disease risks.
“Clean surroundings are a shared responsibility. Together, we can foster healthier communities and ensure a safer future for generations to come,” the statement read.
