Following their resolve to reduce childhood diseases for children under five, the Niger state government has assured that relevant Ministries Departments and Agencies (MDAs) will collaborate to improve Water and Sanitation Hygiene (WASH) status in the State.
Speaking yesterday at a One Day dissemination meeting on the State of WASH in Primary Health Care facilities organized by the White Ribbon Alliance, Nigeria in Minna, the Commissioner of Water and Dam Development, Yusuf Suleiman said the relevant Ministries will collaborate to ensure government increases investment in WASH.
According to him “we will take it seriously and ensure efficient mechanisms are in place to guarantee adequate, constant availability of WASH facilities in all health facilities across the state.
“We are optimistic that the availability of WASH in health facilities will contribute towards the reduction of childhood diseases for children under five and improve the management of childbirth for women thereby improving the quality of care at facilities and increase utilization of health facilities”.
“The State government will do its best to increase investment in WASH. There is no way out of it, we must come together to ensure WASH is improved. I, as the Commissioner for Water and Dam Development, also commit to take steps to broker this partnership between Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).
Speaking also, the Commissioner for Environment and Forestry Idris Jibrin Amin called on communities to take part in the process to ensure their environments are clean.
He highlighted the need to end open defecation in the communities, adding that “they must understand their role in keeping their environments clean.
“A lot of sicknesses are water related and so we must engage communities in sensitization efforts”.
Program Manager, White Ribbon Alliance, Christy Asala during her presentation, charged the Government to review the WASH status in all PHCs facilities in the state.
Accordingly, she said “the State needs to develop strategies and plans to ensure there is uninterrupted water in all seasons, adequate toilets, improved sanitation and proper waste management in PHCs.
“There is need for improved partnership between the Ministry of Water Resources and Ministry of Health to ensure improved WASH services in PHCs”.
While saying there is the need for review of the State water policy to ensure improved WASH in PHCs, Asala said “women specifically asked for clean toilet and hand washing facility in hospitals, which is a major contributor to low access to health care services.
“If we must close the gap in the number of women that access health centers, installing adequate WASH facilities should be prioritized”.
In its goodwill message, the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) assured that it will 0arner with the state government.
The UNICEF representative, Teni Shiru said “WASH is one of our core mandates and I do hope we can work together to achieve results”.
