World Toilet Day: EHORECON Says Lack of Toilet Causes Outbreak of Diseases

 

The Environmental Health Officers Registration Council of Nigeria (EHORECON) says that lack of toilets in homes and public places can cause outbreak of diseases.

 

Mr Dominic Abonyi, the Registrar of the Council, said this in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Abuja.

 

He said that poor sanitation and lack of toilets were associated with diseases such as diarrhoea, cholera, hepatitis, dysentery and intestinal worms, among others.

 

He said that such diseases could also contribute to malnutrition in people, particularly children.

 

The registrar noted that in 2013, the UN General Assembly officially designated Nov. 19 as the World Toilet Day to appreciate the importance of toilets in the lives of people.

 

He said that the Federal Ministry of Environment, in collaboration with the council, would be celebrating the day on Nov. 20, adding that the theme of this year’s celebration was: “Wastewater Management’’.

 

“It is important to note that access to good toilets, basic sanitation and good hygiene is a human right and everyone deserves the right to the benefits and dignity of a safe environment.

 

“There must be toilet as long as there is life; people must have access to toilets to promote healthy environment and avoid spread of diseases.

 

“Absence of good toilets has a serious impact on health and social development, especially for children.

 

“It is a good thing to have good toilets; it is also good to ensure that the toilets are clean by having good hygiene services like soap dispensers constantly in the toilets.

 

“Floors should be mopped thoroughly with cleaning agents and as the general rule of toilet etiquette, after using the toilet, wash your hands with soap and be smart to flush the toilet after use.

 

“Public toilets must be kept clean, just as we do keep our own toilets at home clean; good toilets accelerate progress and prevent diseases.

 

“There must be workers specifically assigned to clean toilets in every institution, especially public places, to ensure cleanliness throughout the day,’’ he said.

 

Abonyi said that access to sanitation was a critical step towards reducing the impact of diseases, adding that it would also help to protect the environment to enhance people’s safety, dignity and self-esteem. (NAN)