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Medical practitioners have called on the Federal Government to work towards establishing a central water system to promote easy access to safe, affordable water for Nigerians.
They made the appeal on Saturday in Lagos during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, to mark the 2024 World Health Day commemorated annually on April 7.
NAN reports the WHD is celebrated annually on April 7 9 (today) to commemorate the anniversary of the founding of the World Health Organisation in 1948.
The theme for 2024 WHD is ‘My Health, My Right’.
This year’s theme was chosen to champion the right of everyone, everywhere to access health services, education, and information, as well as safe drinking water, clean air, good nutrition, quality housing, decent working and environmental conditions, and freedom from discrimination.
Speaking on the theme, a Consultant Cardiologist, Dr Ramon Moronkola, said it had become imperative for government at all levels to provide a central water system to ensure access to affordable and readily available safe drinking water.
The expert, who works with the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, said that the availability of a central water system would make it easier for the government to monitor and regulate the quality of water that goes to different homes.
According to him, unsafe water is one of the ways infections can spread, saying that individuals can easily contract diseases if water is not made safe.
He said, “The WHO has mentioned access to safe water and good nutrition as part of the key components of the WHD celebration.
“So, water is very important to life and healthy living; we need water to quench our thirst, even when we eat, we need water for the food to digest, the body needs water to function and excrete waste products,” he said.
Moronkola lamented that in Nigeria, the government’s source of water is practically non-existent, stressing with the establishment of a central water system, water would be more affordable and available for consumption.
He added, “Water is life, without water there is no living. It is very important to talk about this now because, in our environment, the government’s source of water is practically non-existent.
“We all depend on water from different sources, usually from all these packaged water. How well are we sure that this water is safe?
“But if we had a central water system, it would have been easier for the government to monitor the quality of water that goes to different homes.
“My advice is that the government should either start looking at establishing a central water system or based on the situation we have, ensure that the regulatory agencies play more roles beyond exploiting and extorting the owners of these packaged water.
“The regulatory agencies should play more roles in supporting and ensuring that the water they supply is safe, affordable and available to people.
“And this is where collaborative effort will play a significant role. The regulatory agencies should see themselves as partners with these producers rather than antagonists or enemies.”
Also speaking, a Consultant Family & Lifestyle Medicine Physician, Dr Bummi Oluwagbemi, said the importance of water to life cannot be overemphasised.
She advised people to always take enough safe drinking water, particularly during the day time as it helps in body cleansing and revitalisation.
(NAN)
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