Environmental Health Council of Nigeria (EHCON) urges Nigerians to prioritize environmental sanitation, personal hygiene, and preventive measures to reduce disease transmission.
Dr. Yakubu Baba, EHCON Registrar, made the call in a statement issued in Abuja on Friday.
He emphasized that poor sanitation, unsafe water, and unhygienic environments expose communities—especially children—to preventable illnesses.
He urged Nigerians to incorporate cleanliness and hygiene into daily routines, noting that effective prevention starts with healthy habits, clean surroundings, timely vaccination, and responsible health-seeking behavior.
Baba stressed the importance of parents and caregivers ensuring proper vaccination and seeking medical attention promptly when children show symptoms of illness.
“Closing vaccination gaps and providing access to basic healthcare are vital for protecting children and reducing transmissible diseases,” he said.
He called for collective responsibility in maintaining clean environments, including proper refuse disposal, water source protection, clean surroundings, drainage maintenance, and regular hand washing.
“We must avoid conditions like overcrowding and environmental practices that facilitate disease transmission,” Baba added.
He called for sustained health education and cooperation among government, healthcare professionals, families, and communities in disease prevention.
