A public health expert has issued a firm warning about looming health emergency in Nigeria if lack of safe water across the country persists.
The expert, Chief Consultant Epidemiologist at the Federal Ministry of Health, Dr Ganiyu Jamiyu said that water is indispensable for proper hygiene. “For the general public, however, access to clean water remains a significant challenge”, Jamiyu said.
“Nigeria currently faces significant challenges in its healthcare system, from the primary to tertiary levels”, he said.
He continues, “One of the fundamental necessities for any health facility providing care is access to water. It is impossible to effectively manage patients without it. For instance, while hand sanitizers are important, they are only suitable when hands are not visibly soiled with bodily fluids like blood”.
The health expert made this observation while speaking in an exclusive interview with Africa Health Report, AHR asserting, “The outlook of Nigerian health system is grim”.
He also said, “Poor hygiene, inadequate sanitation, and insufficient infection control measures contribute to the spread of resistant bacteria”.
Jamiyu who share insights from his extensive background slammed inadequate infrastructure and poor funding of the nation’s health sector, concluding that these have negative influences on the populace general healthcare.
Hear him, “Nigeria’s health insurance coverage remains low, around 20%, Ultimately, Nigeria’s healthcare system is fragile. It lacks sufficient funding, insurance coverage, infrastructure, and a motivated workforce”.
On Lassa Fever, he said is critical. According to him, it has caused numerous deaths in recent months.
On malaria, Jamiyu condemned mosquito nets, saying nets are no longer serving useful purpose. “Nigeria can learn from global best practices, such as the strategies employed by countries like the United States, which have effectively eliminated malaria in the country”, he said.
The Epidemiologist disagrees with the opinion that Nigeria is unprepared for emergency in the magnitude of global flu or virus.
On this, he said, “although COVID-19 is no longer considered a public health emergency of international concern, it highlighted the importance of sustained public health measures”.
He spoke on Hepatitis, HIV/AIDS, NCDC, Japa syndrome as well as roles of donor organisations or partners.
Read full interview in our subsequent publication.
