The Arewa Health Promotion Initiative has carried out an awareness campaign on clean water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) at the Dukawa Primary Health Care Centre in Kura Local Government Area of Kano State, as part of activities marking the 2024 World Toilet Day.
Speaking during the sensitisation exercise, the Executive Director of the organisation, Malam Adamu Ahmad Ibrahim, said creating awareness on clean water and proper sanitation practices remains essential in improving public health standards in communities.
According to him, many health challenges affecting households are linked to unsafe water, poor food handling, and unhygienic environmental conditions. He said the organisation chose Dukawa ward due to its large population, limited access to healthcare facilities, and shortage of specialised health personnel who can guide residents on preventive health measures.
“With this awareness campaign, the people of Dukawa and surrounding communities will become more conscious of the risks associated with contaminated water, poor sanitation, and unsafe food practices,” he said.
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Also speaking, the President of the Environmental Health Officers Association of Nigeria, Sanitarian Salisu Ubale Ibrahim, emphasised that proper care of toilets and food hygiene plays a significant role in preventing diseases.
He advised residents to wash their hands regularly, clean their toilets frequently, wash cooking utensils thoroughly, and ensure that vegetables are properly rinsed before consumption. He further urged households to locate wells at a safe distance from toilets to avoid contamination.
“People must understand the need to play their own part. These simple sanitation practices reduce unnecessary visits to healthcare facilities and help improve overall community well-being,” he added.
Sanitarian Ibrahim noted that when communities adopt proper sanitation measures, government resources can be diverted to other developmental needs, rather than being spent repeatedly on preventable diseases.
“If you abide by the guidance given today, and take personal initiatives to improve the sanitary condition of your environment, water, and the food you eat, your health will be better protected,” he stated.
On his part, the Councillor representing Dukawa ward, Malam Abdullahi Isah Yunusa, said residents have embraced the WASH sensitisation campaign, describing it as a timely intervention that will enhance community health.
He promised to sustain the momentum through health personnel at the Dukawa Primary Health Care Centre and neighbouring communities of Kunshama I and Kunshama II to ensure long-term impact.
An elderly woman in the community, Hajiya Ladi, one of the beneficiaries of the campaign, pledged to relay the message to others who could not attend, saying the initiative would help promote a healthier environment for all.
Each of the beneficiaries was given detergents to help them maintain proper toilet hygiene for a period of time.
This year’s World Toilet Day, observed globally on November 19, was themed “We’ll Always Need the Toilet,” highlighting the continued need for safe sanitation systems across communities.