The Environmental Health Council of Nigeria (EHCON) has urged Nigerians to prioritize environmental sanitation, personal hygiene and other preventive measures to curb the spread of preventable diseases.
The Registrar of EHCON, Dr Yakubu Baba, made the call in a statement issued in Abuja on Friday.
Baba warned that poor sanitation, unsafe water and unhygienic surroundings could expose communities, particularly children, to preventable illnesses.
He urged Nigerians to make environmental cleanliness and personal hygiene part of their daily routines, stressing that disease prevention begins with healthy practices, clean surroundings, timely vaccination and responsible health-seeking behavior.
Baba also called on parents and caregivers to ensure that children receive appropriate vaccinations and prompt medical attention whenever they show symptoms of illness.
“Closing vaccination gaps and ensuring access to basic preventive healthcare are critical to protecting children and reducing the burden of transmissible diseases,” he said.
He called for collective responsibility in maintaining clean and healthy communities, urging residents to dispose of refuse properly, protect water sources from contamination and keep their surroundings and drainage systems clean.
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He also advised Nigerians to observe regular handwashing and other basic hygiene practices while avoiding overcrowding and environmental conditions that could facilitate disease transmission.
Baba further called for sustained public health education and stronger cooperation among government agencies, healthcare professionals, families and communities to prevent the spread of diseases.
