By Lizzy Carr
The executive chairman of Bauchi State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (BASPHCDA), Dr. Rilwanu Mohammed says proactive measures are needed to fight against infectious diseases in the state.
Mohammed was speaking at a one-day advocacy engagement meeting for traditional and community leaders on the prevention of infectious diseases funded by WaterAid Nigeria as implemented by an NGO, Women Development Association for Self Sustainance (WODASS) held in Bauchi.
The Executive Chairman stressed that traditional and community leaders have significant roles to play in achieving the set objectives of health care within their communities.
He noted that there is the need to always pause and reflect on the present situation of things in the communities to be able to know what has been done earlier and what can be done differently to achieve the set objectives of a healthy society.
Mohammed assured that the Agency will continue to collaborate with all relevant agencies and NGOs in the promotion of primary healthcare services among members of the community to achieve a healthy society.
Also speaking, the HOD, of Inspections of Bauchi State Environmental Protection Agency (BASEPA), Haruna Suleiman said that the meeting was very important in achieving a healthy society because the traditional and the community leaders are closer to the people.
Suleiman said that the importance of WASH issues cannot be over-emphasized because it is the basis of living. After all, life itself revolves around water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH).
He, however, lamented that people have since abandoned the COVID-19 protocol of social distancing, washing hands, and wearing face masks a development that has increased the spread of infectious diseases.
Magaji Barde of WODASS had earlier said that the meeting was aimed at sensitizing the traditional and community leaders on the need for them to redouble efforts in mobilizing their people on the need to adopt a healthy environment through keeping proactive measures.
