Poverty, poor sanitation responsible for NTDs in Nigeria — UNICEF
By Abbas Usman, Bauchi
The United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) Chief of Field Office, Bauchi Dr.Nuzhat Rafique, has disclosed that poverty, poor sanitation and hygiene in rural communities are core factors responsible for Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) in Nigeria.
Dr. Nuzhat Rafique, made the disclosure at a one day media dialogue on NTDs elimination, held at Hazibal Hotel Bauchi on Thursday.
She said poverty, poor sanitation, and lack of portable drinking water are threats to the spread of NTDs, explaining that communities must adopt cleaner and healthier habits to break the vicious cycle of disease and poverty.
“Poverty is a dangerous issue to health and deprivation. When people are poor and live in unclean environments, they are more likely to get sick. When they fall ill, they can’t work and this deepens poverty,” she informed.
Dr. Nuzhat Rafique
Dr. Nuzhat, emphasised the need for improved sanitation and hygiene practices, urging both government and communities to invest in safe water supply, proper waste management, and cleanliness at the household level.
“We have to strengthen our health system and focus on WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) interventions. Media are the eyes, ears, and voice of society, you can create awareness, influence behaviour, and change lives. Behavioural change is not easy, but the media plays a very strong role in achieving it,” she said.
Dr. Nuzhat however, warned against open defecation and unsafe water sources, noting that polluted rivers expose communities to diseases such as River Blindness and other related diseases.
“When we prevent flies and mosquitoes, we prevent several diseases like malaria and dengue. Sanitation, clean water, and timely health-seeking behaviour are key to preventing these illnesses,” she emphasized.
In her presentation, the North-East Zonal Coordinator of the NTDs Control Programme under the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Hajiya Hauwa Abubakar, described NTDs as diseases of poverty that remain a major public health concern, particularly in rural communities.
Hajiya Hauwa Abubakar
“NTDs are preventable and curable diseases that mostly affect the poor and people living in rural areas. They cause disability, deformity, and sometimes death if left untreated,” she explained.
Hajiya Hauwa appealed to media practitioners to assist in the awareness campaigns by constant amplifying accurate information about the prevention and control of NTDs, adding that enlightenment remains one of the most effective tools for eradicating or reducing the dangers of such diseases in Nigeria.
She commented Bauchi state government for collaborating with Federal Government and UNICEF to fight against the NTDs in Bauchi state and Nigeria as a whole.
