By Emmanuel kehinde, Ilorin
The Director General of the National Youth Service Corps, Brig Gen Y.D Ahmed has said environmental sanitation is an essential tool against breakout of diseases in public spaces. He noted that it has been recognised globally as one of the key requirements for prevention of diseases and escalation of epidemic.
The Director General speaking through the State Coordinator of NYSC Kwara, Mr. Onifade Olaoluwa at the flag-off ceremony of the Nationwide Environmental Sanitation Exercise in early hours of Saturday at the popular Ipata market area in Ilorin, described exercise as worthy course and disclosed that NYSC has a national mandate to enlighten the general public on the health risks of poor environmental hygiene.
The NYSC helmsman further explained that the exercise “Is geared towards mobilising and sensitising every member of the society to cultivate the culture of keeping their environment clean in order to prevent disease outbreak”.
He explained that NYSC recently held second quarter medical outreach, Health Initiative for Rural Dwellers, and most of the ailments diagnosed and treated were as a result of poor hygiene.
Environmental sanitation vital for prevention of diseases
He therefore said “Efforts must be made to save many more lives by empowering the people with adequate information on good grooming and empowering the people with adequate information on environmental hygiene”
The Director General expressed his satisfaction on the turnout and response of the people and hopeful on the prospect of the exercise because it would go a long way in bringing to consciousness of the people that with regular sanitation, malaria and other related diseases would be drastically reduced to minimum proportion.