Safe, hygienic toilets are foundation for good public health conditions – UNICEF

Segun Babatunde Awofadeji, Bauchi

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has stated that safe and hygienic toilets are a foundation for good public health conditions which is vital to reduce diseases, protect water sources, and promote safety especially for children, women and girls.

The Chief of Field Office Bauchi, UNICEF Nigeria, Dr Nuzhat Rafique made this known in a goodwill message during the
commemoration of the 2024 World Toilet Day (WTD) held at the Hazibal Hotel Bauchi on Monday.

She said that poor sanitation increases the risk of life-threatening diseases, especially among children and adolescent girls.

Represented by the WASH Officer, Dawap Nanbam Michael, the UNICEF Chief of Field Office noted that millions of people around the world are faced with the challenges of health, education and economy due to lack of access to safe Sanitation.

“The World Toilet Day is a day dedicated to raising awareness of the global sanitation crisis and the importance of safe toilets for all.Lack of access to safe sanitation is a daily struggle, affecting health, education, and economic opportunities globally”

“The theme Sanitation for Peace serves as a reminder to all that access to toilets is essential not only for health but also for dignity, equality, and peace in communities.

“When communities have access to good toilet systems, open defecation a major environmental problem becomes a thing of the past. Availability of safe and hygienic toilets plays a crucial role in ensuring safe and healthy communities.
One gram of human waste can carry millions of harmful bacteria, viruses, and parasites.

“These pathogens spread through air, water, flies, and animals, contaminating our food and water sources and endangering our health. In fact, open defecation can lead to outbreaks of diseases like cholera, which remains one of the leading killers of children”She said. END