The Health Policy Research Group College of Medicine University of Nigeria (HPRG), recently conducted a training session for State, Local Government, and Community stakeholders on Safe Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) in Anambra State.
Dr. Uche Ezenwaka, the Researcher and Principal Investigator of the WASH Project, highlighted the significant demand and supply-side gaps in WASH services in Anambra State during the opening remarks.
She stressed the importance of promoting safe WASH practices to improve public health and contribute to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) such as Good Health and Well-being, Clean Water and Sanitation, and Sustainable Cities and Communities.
The 3-day training, organized in collaboration with the State Ministry of Health, aimed to address the poor WASH practices identified in a research conducted by HPRG in 2024.
The objectives of the training were to enhance participants’ understanding of WASH principles, technologies, and best practices, as well as to develop their skills in designing, implementing, and sustaining WASH interventions in real-world settings.
Dr. Ezenwaka thanked the participants for their commitment and urged them to work towards ensuring all communities in the State have access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene.
Dr. Mrs. Oby Uchebo, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, stressed the importance of clean water for human health and well-being.
She highlighted the efforts of the Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Charles Soludo, in providing access to safe, clean, and hygienic water through various projects across urban and rural areas.
The training featured lectures by experts on various aspects of WASH ethics, including program planning and implementation, safe water supply and management, water storage and handling, and proper handwashing techniques. Participants expressed their appreciation for the lessons learned and pledged to implement them in their respective areas of jurisdiction.
In her lecture on Safe Water Supply and Management, Mrs. Mystery Ojiakor emphasized the importance of water management as the process of planning, developing, producing, distributing, and managing water resources in terms of water quality and quantity. She stressed that clean water is essential for maintaining good health, as without it, people are at risk of water-borne diseases.
Mrs. Ojiakor stated that, “Good water management is crucial in preventing water-related illnesses, and when water is well managed, it can help communities to grow and prosper.”
During his lecture on Water Storage and Handling, Mr. Tochukwu Agwuncha focused on best practices for water storage, proper handling, and transportation, as well as methods for preventing re-contamination of water. He stressed the importance of maintaining a hygienic culture when storing water for domestic use.
Mr. Agwuncha recommended that containers used for storing water must have covers to prevent the infiltration of dirty air or other contaminants that could compromise water quality.
Dr. Rose N. Amasiani, State Nutrition Officer and Program Manager FSH/WASH, demonstrated proper handwashing techniques to the participants to emphasize the importance of personal hygiene in preventing the spread of disease.
The event was attended by stakeholders from Ministries of Health, Environment, Education, and Information, as well as representatives from RUWASSA, Local Governments WASH Unit Officers, Local Government Health Authority Officers, Schools, community members, and relevant groups in the State.
Comments are closed.