WASH stands for water, sanitation, and hygiene and we all know that these are fundamental to our health. WASH according to WHO is essential for our health and well-being. WASH contributes to our livelihood, keeps us away from hospitals, and increases our life span. Unfortunately, there is no adequate WASH in developing countries, especially in Nigeria, hence diseases like diarrhea, cholera, and malaria are still prevalent in the country. Did you know that diarrhea disease claims more than 150 thousand lives annually in Nigeria? Most of the lives belong to children under the age of 5. The prevalence of the disease is therefore 19% in the country all because more than 70% of the population do not have access to safe water and a clean environment. Safe water should be accessible, available whenever possible, and free from contamination. Without safe water, it is almost impossible to maintain good sanitation and hygiene.
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Did you also know that more than 93 thousand people had chlorella in Nigeria in 2021 out of which 3298 of them died due to the disease? In 2022, there were 23,550 cholera cases, most of which were concentrated in the North. I am sure you are aware that 68 million malaria cases and 194,000 malaria-related deaths are reported annually in Nigeria. Other rampant diseases in the country include dysentery, hepatitis A, and typhoid. So, you may be wondering, what have these got to do with WASH? Lack of adequate water forces residents to use and consume water contaminated with sewage water which carries various pathogens that cause diarrhea, cholera, and typhoid. In the case of malaria, the lack of adequate WASH creates an environment suitable for the profound breeding of mosquitoes that transmit the parasite from one person to the other.
To reduce the burden of these diseases, the government should take the responsibility of providing adequate and safe water to all communities, schools, markets, and workplaces including healthcare facilities and other public places. It is essential to ensure that everyone has access to clean and safe water sources and that hygiene and sanitation practices are integrated into community development programs. Don’t be surprised that many communities and some healthcare facilities do not have access to safe water. Marketplaces and local bus stations are the worst. What I am even saving? you can barely move around local bus stations (popularly called garages) like Oshodi, Ikorodu, Ojuelegba, etc. Everywhere smells of people’s urine because there are no toilets around.
As responsible citizens, we can play a significant role in reducing the spread of these diseases by practicing good WASH in our daily lives. First, we need to educate ourselves about the importance of WASH in maintaining our health and keeping our communities clean. Secondly, please always wash your hands with water when inside and disinfect your hands when outside because water may be unavailable. Thirdly, let’s reduce our waste generation and dispose of them properly. Do not dispose of your wastes into drainages as this creates stagnant water that facilitates the spread of disease within our communities. In addition, always use toilets or latrines and avoid open defecation or urination. Open defecation or urination is common in local bus stations and markets. When you defecate or urinate openly, there are 100 % chance that you will contaminate the available surface or underground water that people depend on. By working together and doing the right thing, we can ensure that our communities remain healthy and safe from infectious diseases.
Now let me ask you this, as a citizen, how else do you think you can enhance WASH practices with limited water resources and access?
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