Since 56% of people in Plateau State still defecate outside of their homes, residents are urged to adopt proper hygiene and sanitation habits in their homes to reduce the risk of disease outbreaks.
It was required of the people to install sanitary amenities, such as toilets, in their homes and to promote the appropriate use of these facilities by the occupants.
In a speech on Monday in Jos in honor of World Toilet Day, Joel Gomiyar, the Programme Officer for Media Action for Health, Environment, and Sustainable Development (MAHESD), urged people to take human rights seriously and to not play around with issues related to water, sanitation, and hygiene.
“The World Toilet Organization was established in 2001 by Singaporean philanthropist Jack Sim, and it was purposefully chosen for a more effective public approach, greater relevance, and simpler public messaging,” he stated. This unique day is meant to spark discussions about proper sanitation and hygiene, with the goal of determining how each of us can contribute to the creation of a society free from open defecation and lower rates of disease outbreaks and maternal deaths.
“We encourage the public to make sure they keep their environment and toilets clean because several serious diseases can spread due to poor hygiene and poor sanitation, using this year’s theme: ‘Accelerating Change for Safe Sanitation.'” Communities should be made aware of it, and solutions to ensure that everyone has access to sanitary facilities should be investigated. The standard of living in our society is impacted by inadequate access to sanitary facilities and a reliable water supply.
“Open Defection (OD) and Poor Hygiene (BH) have been the main contributors to serious sickness cases in our neighborhood throughout the years. The fact that open defecation and inadequate sanitary facilities are still commonplace in rural areas is regrettable. Thus, in order to raise awareness of the need of having appropriate access to restrooms, clean water, sanitation, and hygiene in communities, we join the rest of the world in celebrating World Toilet Day.
Because we think that health is wealth in every society, we celebrate World Toilet Day every year. Basic human rights demands include sanitation, proper hygiene, and access to clean water and toilets. As a result, MAHESD is organizing events to raise awareness of the value of sanitation in partnership with the Plateau State Environmental Protection and Sanitation Agency (PEPSA).
