Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Education (WASH) Media Network Bauchi state has urged the Bauchi state government to ensure safe water in schools and health facilities for proper hygiene.
He stressed the need for the government to ensure safe water supply and sanitation in schools and health facilities to reduce the cases of diarrhoea, adding that it also encourages the development of healthy behaviours for life.
“WASH in Schools not only promotes hygiene and increases access to quality education.
“Poor sanitation, water scarcity, inferior water quality and inappropriate hygiene behaviour are disastrous for infants and young children and are a major cause of mortality for children under five,” he said.
He stressed that those conditions are also detrimental to the health of school-aged children, who spend long hours in schools.
According to him, the physical environment and cleanliness of a school facility can significantly affect the health and well-being of children.
Ayodele noted that disease spreads quickly in cramped spaces with limited ventilation, where hand-washing facilities or soap are not available.
He added that where toilets are in disrepair, schools are often places where children become ill.
The chairman also restated that availability of clean water in health facilities is critical to providing quality health care.
He said:“ we and clients in health care facilities need sufficient quantities of safe water to provide health care services.
“Drinking and cooking, hand-washing hygiene, showering and bathing, and a variety of general and specialised medical uses all require safe and reliable supplies of water.
He also added that water is essential for cleaning rooms, beds, floors, toilets, sheets and laundry.
