By Mojisola Oladele
Sustainable Total Sanitation is achieved when communities not only attain Open Defecation Free (ODF) status but also sustain it by consistently maintaining proper sanitation through the use of improved toilet facilities.
Some stakeholders stated this during a two day seminar for State Task Group on Sanitation organized by Rural Water Sanitation and Hygiene Agency, RUWESA and Neglected Tropical Diseases, NTD department in the Osun State Ministry of Health in conjunction with UNICEF in Osogbo.
Speaking on the significance of the event, the General Manager, RUWESA, Mrs. Ibidun Odelola noted that participants were drawn from various government agencies to serve as desk officers and saddled with the responsibility to certify if a Community is Open Defecation, OD Free status.
“So they are here to get the training and to know the criteria they will use to certify a community to become Open Defecation Free”
Mrs. Odelola explained that, the Desk officers / State Task Group on Sanitation will visit the four wards comprising 66 communities in Odo Otin Local Government Area, to verify and certify if they are OD free as claimed by the Communities.
Contributing, UNICEF representative, South West Zone, Mr. Emmanuel Orimoloye explained that it was imperative for every human being to have access to a safe sanitation and hygiene facility to promote human health.
“UNICEF is interested in supporting communities to attain Open Defecation Free status, because every human being should have access to a safe sanitation and hygiene facility,to promote human health and dignity “
Mr. Emmanuel who explained that, most people practice open defecation due to ignorance, emphasized the need for residents to understand why they should own and use toilet facilities as well as promote hand washing at critical times.
Also contributing , the State NTD Coordinator, Ministry of Health, Dr. Abiodun Boladale emphasized that when residents stop open defecation, it will go a long way in eliminating and eradicating the spread of diseases across the State.
“The importance of the event to the State is beyond the certification , it is also to ensure the State key into the WASH programme by UNICEF and to synchronize the Programme with the Neglected Tropical Diseases, NTD, Elimination Programme in the State.”
In separate contributions, two participants, Mrs.Rachel Adeoye and Mr. Lukman Mushapha said the major objective of the event was to ensure that everyone embrace a healthy lifestyle and for communities in the State to achieve Open Defecation Free status.
