As Nigeria continues to battle with the wave of cholera sweeping through many parts of the country, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate, has called on state authorities to end open defecation in their respective jurisdictions. Mr Pate said the state governments must begin a widespread orientation and push for a behavioural change that will stop the population from defecating in open spaces. The minister said this Wednesday morning while speaking on the Channels Television programme.
Open defecation, a practice of people defecating in open spaces rather than using toilets or designated sanitation facilities, has remained a significant challenge to Nigeria’s public health for years. About 48 million Nigerians, representing 23 per cent of the country’s population, defecate in open spaces, increasing this risk of severe health and environmental issues. The recent outbreak of cholera in the country, affecting 1,528 persons across the country, has been linked in part to the continued prevalence of the disease.
“As part of the nationwide effort to fight cholera, the state government needs to put an end to open defecation so that faeces do not come into the food that people consume or the water that people drink,” Mr Pate said. PREMIUM TIMES delivers fact-based journalism for Nigerians, by Nigerians — and our community of supporters, the readers who donate, make our work possible. Help us bring you and millions of others in-depth, meticulou.
