Stakeholders advocates inclusion of Water Sanitation and Hygiene WASH into Government Policies and Programmes.

By Abdullahi Yahaya Maikano

In Bauchi State, Stakeholders have advocated inclusion of Water Sanitation and Hygiene into all Government Policies and Programmes to curb the spread of infectious diseases among populace.

Chairman Bauchi State Network of Civil Society Organisations BASNEC Mr. Jinjiri John Garba gave the indication in Bauchi during a press conference as part of activities lined up to mark this year’s Handwashing Day.

Mr. Jinjiri Garba described handwashing as essential in curbing the spread of communicable diseases and urged the public to imbibe it in their daily activities.

He attributed outbreaks of cholera, COVID-19 and other infectious diseases in the State to poor sanitation and hygiene, and stressed the need for people to adjust in order to have a disease-free society.

The BASNEC Chairman who stressed the need for Government to increase budgetary allocation to Water, Sanitation and Hygiene WASH, called on wealthy individuals to complement the effort by providing portable water in their respective communities for a prosperous society.

Mr. Jinjiri Garba said every 15th of October has been set aside to raise awareness on the importance of handwashing among people.

He further commended Media Houses for their efforts in sensitizing the public on health-related issues, and called on all and sundry to join hands in eliminating infectious diseases in the society.

In a remark the Program Manager Women Development Association for Self-Sustenance WODASS Mr. Sukumun Ezikel who described WASH as a Global approach and strategy, called on the pubic to support Government as provision of hygienic water is a right on every citizen.

Mr. Ezikel called on the State Government to scale up the implementation of the Clean Family Campaign that was launched during the Hand Washing Day in 2019 in Kirfi Local Government.

The theme of this year’s Global Handwashing Day is Our future is in our hands- let’s move forward together.