By; MOHAMMED KAWU, Bauchi
Women Development Association for Self-Sustenance (WODAS) has appealed to the Bauchi State Government to review its budget to adequately reflect prevention strategies for infectious diseases such as cholera, lassa fever and COVID-19.
The government was equally tasked to ensure that allocated funds are timely released and adequately implemented to reduce over dependence on donor agencies, as well as domesticate National WASH COVID-19 guidelines with the involvement of the State Task Force on COVID-19
These demands were made by the Women Development Association for Self-Sustenance (WODAS) which also called on governments at all levels to promote and prioritize disease prevention through adequate and equitable access to water, sanitation and hygiene services.
WODAS, at a press briefing in Bauchi on Tuesday, said that to curtail the spread of COVID-19 as new variants continue to emerge, there must also be a focus by the state government on hygiene behaviour change intervention, complemented by a drive to boost uptake of vaccines.
The association, in partnership with WaterAid Nigeria, also spoke of the need for the state government to put in place measures, especially infrastructure to ensure that people were able to practice and sustain good hygiene behaviours, while describing WASH as critical in maintaining the dignity of human life and keeping communities healthy and productive.
According to the programme, the Bauchi State Government must take urgent action in implementing the key recommendations proposed to strengthen its water, sanitation and hygiene service delivery system in collaboration with relevant sectors and stakeholders.
The Programme Officer, Ezekiel Sukumum, similarly stressed the need for the state and local governments to widen the scope of hygiene behavior change campaign to include education focusing on key behaviours such as respiratory hygiene, handwashing, safe excreta disposal, and water storage, among others.
Sukumum also wants the two tiers of governments to ensure routine sustainable water, sanitation and hygiene interventions are provided in communities and LGAs with poor access, especially those with endemic trends, and facilities in schools, health centres and public places to support inclusive access to WASH for all.
At the press briefing themed, “Improving Response to COVID-19 and Other Infectious Diseases in Bauchi state”, he also called for Scale-up WaterAid’s Clean Family Campaign to all local government areas across the state to ensure personal and environmental hygiene are at the core of immediate response plans, and in support of government’s declaration to end open defecation by 2025”.
The association also spoke of the need for the governments to work with the State Ministry of Health, the Primary Healthcare Development Agency, traditional and religious leaders to promote COVID-19 vaccine uptake to curb the spread of the pandemic.
Mr. Ezekiel on the other hand, wants the state and local governments domesticate the National WASH COVID-19 guidelines with the involvement of the Bauchi state Task Force on COVID-19, while reviewing the state budget to adequately reflect prevention strategies for infectious diseases such as cholera, lassa fever and COVID-19.
He also recalled with dismay that last year, 2, 874 state residents were hospitalized as a result of frequent cholera outbreaks, with 42 deaths recorded, out of which, Bauchi Local Government Area hosting the state capital has the highest number of casualties with 77 per cent of the cases, representing 2,185 people.
