850, 000 Nigerians Risk Death Over Mercury Poisoning -WHO

850, 000 Nigerians Risk Death Over Mercury Poisoning -WHO

BY CHIKA OKEKE, Abuja 

            isotu

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has stated that about 850, 000 Nigerians risk death over mercury poisoning that emanates from Artisanal and Small-scale Gold Mining (ASGM) activities in 12 States. 

National Consultant, Public Health and Environment (PHE) of WHO, Dr Edwin Isotu Edeh disclosed this in Abuja over the weekend during the Expert Panel Discussion at the just concluded maiden National Summit on Environmental Health, organised by Environmental Health Officers Registration Council of Nigeria (EHORECON) with the theme, "Rebranding Environmental Health Practice: Breaking Barriers, Unlocking Opportunities". 

Speaking on, "Positioning Environmental Health for Sustainable Development in Nigeria", he said that 29 percent of national disease burden is linked to risk factors from the environment. 

While lamenting that 46 million Nigerians still practice open defecation in 761 local government areas, he said that only 68 percent have access to basic drinking water.

Edeh stated that 94 percent of Nigerians are exposed to air pollution (measured in PM2.5) that exceeded WHO guidelines, even as 94 percent of health facilities lacked basic water, sanitation and hygiene services.

According to him, "Climate change is increasing the vulnerable health systems while warming of 2-3°C is estimated to increase the risks of malaria, dengue fever, yellow fever, lassa  and other emerging diseases especially in Coastal regions and Lake Chad Basin.

Edeh suggested that environmental health should be integrated into sustainable development by improving environmental quality for the poorest populations.

Appraising WHO's contributions towards addressing issues bordering on environmental health in Nigeria, he said the world body facilitated the review of national environmental sanitation policy and launching of national policies on solid waste management. 

He added that WHO facilitated the establishment of environmental sanitation desk officers in 36 States including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), as well as lassa fever green forums in hotspot communities to institutionalise community sanitation, and among others.

Edeh said that environmental health is an important pillar in achieving sustainable development in Nigeria, adding that environmental health professionals should synergise to address environmental health challenges. 

On chemicals safety and hygiene, he said that, "WHO donated lead monitoring equipment like 'Lead Care 11 Analyser Kit' to Zamfara State, supported the finalisation and launching of a multisector National Action Plan (NAP) for reduction and elimination of mercury in 2021".

Also, "Finalised public health and institutional assessment on ASGM for the development of the country’s NAP, and facilitated response to chemical incidents in Ekiti State and among others.

On her part, Associate Professor, Department of Environmental Health Sciences, University of Ibadan, Dr Elizabeth Oloruntoba said that rebranding should start with the professionals in terms of capacity building like academic and professional training and retraining.