Addressing sanitation issues would ease burden of hospitalization, reduce healthcare costs in Nigeria – NESD

The federal government has emphasized the importance of citizens’ involvement in cleaning and protecting the environment, citing the World Health Organization’s recognition that over 95% of diseases in
Nigeria stem from poor sanitation.

Addressing the press in Abuja on Thursday during a briefing to commemorate the National Environmental Sanitation Day (NESD), the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Environment, Alhaji
Ibrahim Yusufu, stated that addressing sanitation issues would alleviate the burden of hospitalization and reduce healthcare costs in Nigeria.

This year’s NESD theme, “Promoting Sustainable Waste Management for a
Healthy Environment: Stop Open Dumping,” underscores the need for proper waste management systems, including containment, collection, treatment, reuse/recycling, and final disposal of all waste types (solid, liquid, and gaseous). The objective is to ensure sound waste
management practices, eliminate open dumping, and protect the environment.

The NESD has been celebrated since its declaration by the President in 2005, aiming to promote behavioral change in sanitation and hygiene practices among the population through awareness campaigns and recognition of innovative best practices.

Alhaji Yusufu emphasized the necessity of safe and functional sanitary facilities and services in every premise for effective waste management. This contributes to the
achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 3, 6, and 7, which focus on good health and well-being, access to clean water and sanitation, and the safe management of sanitation.

The theme highlights the need for households, businesses, schools, and other entities to have functional and cost-effective sanitary facilities/services to protect the ecosystem, maintain the aesthetic value of the environment, prevent odour nuisance, and curb the transmission of sanitation-related diseases. It also aims to improve public health, reduce poverty through environmental sustainability, prevent pollution, promote resource recovery and recycling, prevent drainage blockage, and mitigate flooding.

Although efforts have been made to provide sanitary facilities and services in certain parts of the country, there is still a gap in
translating these efforts into improved health indicators, as reflected in persistently high rates of child and infant mortality due
to sanitation and hygiene-related diseases.

The Ministry, in collaboration with stakeholders, has outlined various activities to commemorate the 2023 NESD, including community sanitation and sensitization initiatives in selected communities
nationwide.

The ministry expects the 36 states of the federation to adopt and implement these activities to observe the National
Environmental Sanitation Day.

Muhammed Baba, the Registrar of the Environmental Health Officers Registration Council of Nigeria (EHORECON), emphasized the ministry’s provision of a Sustainable Waste Management Framework and the opportunity to establish an icon for Nigeria.

He emphasized the critical importance of recycling, reuse, and recovery within the
framework, which not only contributes to environmental sustainability but also creates job opportunities.

He clarified that waste collection in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) falls under the jurisdiction of the Abuja Environmental Protection Board rather than the federal
Ministry of Environment.

He stressed the need for massive enforcement and heightened awareness of environmental issues, emphasizing that
everyone must be involved in addressing the challenges.