By Mashe Umaru Gwamna
Environmental Health Officers Registration Council of Nigeria (EHORECON), has advocated for the implementation of National Environmental Health Practice Regulations to reduce malaria by 70%.
The Registrar of the Council /CEO Dr. Baba Mohammed made the call while marking this year’s World Malaria day with the theme “Harness Innovation to Reduce Malaria Burden and Save Lives”.
A statement signed and issued by Kehinde A. Openibo
Director, Public Affairs For: Registrar/CEO, said when the 2016 national environment health practice regulation is enforced it would reduced the incidences of malaria burden in Nigeria by 70%.
Mohammed stressed the need for synergy among Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of government .
“ All agencies and MDAs should form partnership and support in the prevention and control of Malaria in Nigeria”.
He reiterated that Nigeria represents the world’s greatest malaria burden with approximately 51 million cases and 207,000 deaths reported annually which represents 30% of the total malaria burden in the region,.
“This is a huge health challenge requires much commitment by all”.
He further explained that Africa is the most affected region in the world over, saying about 165.9 million cases of the diseases were reported in the continent in 2020 with an estimated 95% of cases and 96% of deaths of which 80% of all deaths were among children aged under 5 full years.
The EHORECON boss however went further to highlight some of the relevant guidelines developed by the Council to help the public on how to ensure clean and healthy environment as includes
•Standard Operational Guidelines for Inspection and Certification of Premises, 2022, Disinfection and Decontamination of Microbial and Chemical Impacted Surfaces, 2022,The Control of Public Health Pest and Vectors Infestation for Environmental Health Professionals in Nigeria, 2022.
Others are :Sanitation in Child Care Centres (Pre-school) and Special Homes in Nigeria, 2014.,Hygiene and Sanitation in the Aviation Industry in Nigeria, 2014 and Ship Hygiene and Sanitation in Nigeria, 2014 among others.
