April 26, 2006
By Sani Garba Mohammed
Environmental health [or sanitation as it is known then] is the oldest profession in Nigeria, yet it is only of recent that it is fully recognized by law to exist. The history and the state of environmental health in Nigeria is long, but I summarized it in my article which was published in Daily Trust, January 14, 2004 . And of recent The Journal Of Environmental Health, March 2005 said it all, page 42.
The profession has faced many difficulties from within its members and other rival health professionals plus relegating it to the background by policy makers and implementers. Many things happens in Awka, Anambra state 1998 which leaves much to be desired, which prompt the like of Kate Obukwelu, A.O Ebisike, Gladys Ihunda, Nwokocha Ogbona, Bunmi Falodun, Sammy oyeleke and Biodun Bamigboye to be the torchbearers of the profession. Abuja 1999 conference saw the emergence of Abiodun Bamigboye to lead the profession to its present status. Now that the Environmental Health Officers Registration Council of Nigeria [EHORCN] became reality, courtesy of their and others, and ready to take its position in the scheme of things in the Nigerian Health sector, I will like to offer some suggestion and advice on certain things, which are very important to the council. The things are many but my contribution is limited to few, which to some extent encompass the others. More so now [25-26 th April 2006] that the council is hosting it ever and first stakeholders meeting titled 'National stakeholders conference on Environmental Health practice in Nigeria' which include the entire professional and others, to review the practice of Environmental health in Nigeria and the future ahead; sensitize and solicit public participation in environmental health matters; to develop a structure for putting environmental health on the national agenda, to highlight the potentials of employment and revenue generation of a well coordinated environmental health services, induction of registered environmental health officers, etc.
Politics
The politics of the council should be serving and protecting its members wherever they are regardless of where they come from. This becomes necessary considering many things if not all in Nigeria are mixed with religion and tribalism. I want this council to look at all Environmental Health Officers in Nigeria [EHOs] as one with no bias, discrimination or difference. Though these things may have been taken care of, nevertheless it is very important to be strictly adhered to, for failure to in doing so may lead the council not meeting its objectives considering the ups and down that was experienced before the council became reality which was over twenty years.
Discipline
The issue of discipline is very important. Council must try to ensure all its members are discipline and obedient to the code of conduct governing it, whoever found wanting should be dealt with accordingly with neither fear nor favour. This became necessary considering the work of EHO encompass man's life and his health in relation to his environment. The issue of bribery and corruption should not be allowed to destroy the image of the members, for many members do collect bribery in the course of discharging their duty, so that offenders does not goes free. Therefore, this kind of problem[s] should be given proper attention.
License
License is the most important [which I know will be issued at the current conference], for there are many substandard and untrained people that are practicing environmental health without attending any course in the field and present themselves as EHOs which is all as a result of non license of members and regulation of the practice. Therefore, for instance while "a physician that perform illegal abortion" said Olu Soetan "may have his license withdrawn whereas, the trained or untrained or unqualified and practicing environmental health personnel that allow the sale of unwholesome food is not only allowed to go free, he continues to practice unhindered. In this Particular instance, the action of the physician affect only one or two lives, the action of unlicensed environmental health personnel may not only affect many more but may actually be the cause of death of many more". Based on this only the license issue became necessary and of immense importance.
Another problem in relation to this issue of license is, a situation where by anybody or group are establishing company to practice environmental health with neither license nor employing EHOs, which according to Olu Soetan "apart from reducing employment opportunities for trained personnel, such a situation is degrading as it gives the impression that environmental health control requires no special skill or knowledge that is peculiar to it. Consequently, the EHOs cannot be regarded as professionals", hence the need to do something is needed.
The registration of license should be fast, precisely to those who have HND, and yet to collect their original certificate from West Africa Health Examination Board, Lagos as it is causing us a lot of stress. This writer applies for the license since July-August 2005, yet up till this time do not know his position. There should be good rapport between the council and the board so that all these delays are minimized.
Education
Educational qualification need to be emphasized seriously. We are aware that EHO holds a minimum of diploma [ND or HND], I will like the council in conjunction with some universities to start a degree programme in different field of environmental health, which, according Prof. MKC Sridhar "would command more experience" because all EHO's are discriminated due to their HND qualification in certain areas. We need to be proud of our profession and have a higher qualification. Courses like public health, environmental/public health engineering, Preventive and social medicine, epidemiology and control of communicable diseases etc should be introduced. Even the course that Obafemi Awolowo University started of environmental health and epidemiology that was cancelled need to be reverse. We need to further our education in Environmental health related filds, but we lack them in the Nigerian universities.
Sincerely speaking we need more courses to be run in our universities, so that within short period of time we have large number of manpower which is at it lowest ebb now, more couple with the ever increasing attention our country need of environmental health services.
As at now, most of graduate of environmental health are not undergoing NYSC after their completion of studies, which is affecting us unfavourably with others. All the schools rendering courses in Environmental health should be autonomous and accredited by NBTE, so that all graduates have chance of partaking in NYSC scheme.
I want use this medium also to draw the attention of the council that courses like environmental health assistant[EHA], environmental health officer [retraining], environmental health officer technician [EVHT], and other courses which are producing supposedly EHOs should also be regulated. Regulating them became necessary, for failure to do that can gives room on how not to identify the real environmental health officer. There is too much duplication in the courses and all of them are calling themselves EHO. Or let there be a uniform system of awarding a diploma to all students who enroll for the course with the minimum qualification, which will be applicable to all institution running the course. All this assistants and other courses should be scrapped and be convert to EHO programme only to avoid producing substandard or poorly trained officers. This the greatest task ahead of the council. We need to be like medical/law profession , which do not allow you to practice without passing through Nigerian Medical and Dental Council/Nigeria Bar Association.
Nomenclature
We are aware that environmental health practitioners are called worldwide now as 'environmental health officers', but here in Nigeria are called different names, like sanitary inspectors, public health superintendents, public health officers etc. Many now preferred to be called public health officers or sanitarians, because they see it as more encompassing and respectable, while the use of word 'environmental', depict them as on- ly a professional that is after the cleanliness of the environment. Whatever it is, the council should provide the name each practitioners shall hold relative to his qualification, because most practitioners are calling themselves 'officers', though they are not. More so, there is also issue of technologist, public health superintendent which is causing difficulties in promotion in their place of work as to where does the later terminate his salary. There is the need to rectify all these anomalies for better recognition by all and sundry.
Also if the name 'officers' as is being used in 'Environmental Health Officers Registration Council of Nigeria' means only 'officers'? if so where does those who are technicians or assistant technicians fall, as such many are calling for the change of name to be 'Environmental health practitioners registration council of Nigeria'.
Face-off in Kano
I am aware that the council is aware of the face-off between environmental health practitioners working in the Kano state ministry of health with authority over the stance that they must all be transfer to the state ministry of environment where in the thinking of the state their work is more relevant. The council should take an active measure to see that move discarded. I wrote on this in the New Nigerian Weekly, Jan 7, 2006 page 7, Desert Herald Feb, 2006, Daily Triumph Feb 13, 2006 page 6 etc.
Other things
The council should fight over the expunging of environmental health practitioners from heading primary health care department at Local government level by National Primary Health Care Development Agency. The council must ensure full participation and employment of all its members in places that is their professional rights in all aspect of environmental health in different agencies, which as at now was hijacked by other profession. Places like airport, seaport, hospitals, environmental agencies and others The issues discussed by Professor MKC Sridhar in his interview with Health and Environment Voice Magazine November 99 should be revisited and be put in the action plan of the council. More so, affiliation with other international organization should be form.
The council should remember that the task ahead is big and that "the public is full of hope and high expectation, hoping that you will be able to return Nigeria to the good old days of discipline hygiene" according to the then minister of environment [Daily Trust March 17, 2004].
At the end, I am congratulating all Environmental Health Officers of Nigeria for this new lease of life they found themselves. Environmental Health Officers Association of Nigeria has achieved many things like upgrading GL14 bar for the profession to GL 17, registration of Environmental health Officers Council act, registration of Society for Environmental Health of Nigeria, exploring opportunities for improved higher education and Environmental health act 2003 which was not reviewed since 1958. Thanks goes to Allah whom due to his infinite power bless us and make this association a reality, and to Mr. Abiodun Bamgboye who is our 'Dr. Isaac Oluwole' of this century due to his unquantifiable contribution for many years in making all these achievements a reality, plus the workaholic Anieofik Moses, Ebike Augustine, Bala Mohammed Tukur etc . May Allah reward them, so also to everybody who in one way or the other contribute with suggestion, advice, and prayers in making the council what it is today, therefore we want the youth to support this vision under the leadership of Mr. Abiodun Bamigboye and Ayuba P waabba-the current president Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria [at the association level], and Emir of Ningi Alh Muhd Danyaya, Ibrahim Malami, Ebisike Augustine [at council level]. This will ensure that the profession and the association are placed in an irreversible position in the scheme of things in Nigeria.
Sani Garba Mohammed, is of PHC department, Karaye LGA, Kano state.
By Sani Garba Mohammed
Environmental health [or sanitation as it is known then] is the oldest profession in Nigeria, yet it is only of recent that it is fully recognized by law to exist. The history and the state of environmental health in Nigeria is long, but I summarized it in my article which was published in Daily Trust, January 14, 2004 . And of recent The Journal Of Environmental Health, March 2005 said it all, page 42.
The profession has faced many difficulties from within its members and other rival health professionals plus relegating it to the background by policy makers and implementers. Many things happens in Awka, Anambra state 1998 which leaves much to be desired, which prompt the like of Kate Obukwelu, A.O Ebisike, Gladys Ihunda, Nwokocha Ogbona, Bunmi Falodun, Sammy oyeleke and Biodun Bamigboye to be the torchbearers of the profession. Abuja 1999 conference saw the emergence of Abiodun Bamigboye to lead the profession to its present status. Now that the Environmental Health Officers Registration Council of Nigeria [EHORCN] became reality, courtesy of their and others, and ready to take its position in the scheme of things in the Nigerian Health sector, I will like to offer some suggestion and advice on certain things, which are very important to the council. The things are many but my contribution is limited to few, which to some extent encompass the others. More so now [25-26 th April 2006] that the council is hosting it ever and first stakeholders meeting titled 'National stakeholders conference on Environmental Health practice in Nigeria' which include the entire professional and others, to review the practice of Environmental health in Nigeria and the future ahead; sensitize and solicit public participation in environmental health matters; to develop a structure for putting environmental health on the national agenda, to highlight the potentials of employment and revenue generation of a well coordinated environmental health services, induction of registered environmental health officers, etc.
Politics
The politics of the council should be serving and protecting its members wherever they are regardless of where they come from. This becomes necessary considering many things if not all in Nigeria are mixed with religion and tribalism. I want this council to look at all Environmental Health Officers in Nigeria [EHOs] as one with no bias, discrimination or difference. Though these things may have been taken care of, nevertheless it is very important to be strictly adhered to, for failure to in doing so may lead the council not meeting its objectives considering the ups and down that was experienced before the council became reality which was over twenty years.
Discipline
The issue of discipline is very important. Council must try to ensure all its members are discipline and obedient to the code of conduct governing it, whoever found wanting should be dealt with accordingly with neither fear nor favour. This became necessary considering the work of EHO encompass man's life and his health in relation to his environment. The issue of bribery and corruption should not be allowed to destroy the image of the members, for many members do collect bribery in the course of discharging their duty, so that offenders does not goes free. Therefore, this kind of problem[s] should be given proper attention.
License
License is the most important [which I know will be issued at the current conference], for there are many substandard and untrained people that are practicing environmental health without attending any course in the field and present themselves as EHOs which is all as a result of non license of members and regulation of the practice. Therefore, for instance while "a physician that perform illegal abortion" said Olu Soetan "may have his license withdrawn whereas, the trained or untrained or unqualified and practicing environmental health personnel that allow the sale of unwholesome food is not only allowed to go free, he continues to practice unhindered. In this Particular instance, the action of the physician affect only one or two lives, the action of unlicensed environmental health personnel may not only affect many more but may actually be the cause of death of many more". Based on this only the license issue became necessary and of immense importance.
Another problem in relation to this issue of license is, a situation where by anybody or group are establishing company to practice environmental health with neither license nor employing EHOs, which according to Olu Soetan "apart from reducing employment opportunities for trained personnel, such a situation is degrading as it gives the impression that environmental health control requires no special skill or knowledge that is peculiar to it. Consequently, the EHOs cannot be regarded as professionals", hence the need to do something is needed.
The registration of license should be fast, precisely to those who have HND, and yet to collect their original certificate from West Africa Health Examination Board, Lagos as it is causing us a lot of stress. This writer applies for the license since July-August 2005, yet up till this time do not know his position. There should be good rapport between the council and the board so that all these delays are minimized.
Education
Educational qualification need to be emphasized seriously. We are aware that EHO holds a minimum of diploma [ND or HND], I will like the council in conjunction with some universities to start a degree programme in different field of environmental health, which, according Prof. MKC Sridhar "would command more experience" because all EHO's are discriminated due to their HND qualification in certain areas. We need to be proud of our profession and have a higher qualification. Courses like public health, environmental/public health engineering, Preventive and social medicine, epidemiology and control of communicable diseases etc should be introduced. Even the course that Obafemi Awolowo University started of environmental health and epidemiology that was cancelled need to be reverse. We need to further our education in Environmental health related filds, but we lack them in the Nigerian universities.
Sincerely speaking we need more courses to be run in our universities, so that within short period of time we have large number of manpower which is at it lowest ebb now, more couple with the ever increasing attention our country need of environmental health services.
As at now, most of graduate of environmental health are not undergoing NYSC after their completion of studies, which is affecting us unfavourably with others. All the schools rendering courses in Environmental health should be autonomous and accredited by NBTE, so that all graduates have chance of partaking in NYSC scheme.
I want use this medium also to draw the attention of the council that courses like environmental health assistant[EHA], environmental health officer [retraining], environmental health officer technician [EVHT], and other courses which are producing supposedly EHOs should also be regulated. Regulating them became necessary, for failure to do that can gives room on how not to identify the real environmental health officer. There is too much duplication in the courses and all of them are calling themselves EHO. Or let there be a uniform system of awarding a diploma to all students who enroll for the course with the minimum qualification, which will be applicable to all institution running the course. All this assistants and other courses should be scrapped and be convert to EHO programme only to avoid producing substandard or poorly trained officers. This the greatest task ahead of the council. We need to be like medical/law profession , which do not allow you to practice without passing through Nigerian Medical and Dental Council/Nigeria Bar Association.
Nomenclature
We are aware that environmental health practitioners are called worldwide now as 'environmental health officers', but here in Nigeria are called different names, like sanitary inspectors, public health superintendents, public health officers etc. Many now preferred to be called public health officers or sanitarians, because they see it as more encompassing and respectable, while the use of word 'environmental', depict them as on- ly a professional that is after the cleanliness of the environment. Whatever it is, the council should provide the name each practitioners shall hold relative to his qualification, because most practitioners are calling themselves 'officers', though they are not. More so, there is also issue of technologist, public health superintendent which is causing difficulties in promotion in their place of work as to where does the later terminate his salary. There is the need to rectify all these anomalies for better recognition by all and sundry.
Also if the name 'officers' as is being used in 'Environmental Health Officers Registration Council of Nigeria' means only 'officers'? if so where does those who are technicians or assistant technicians fall, as such many are calling for the change of name to be 'Environmental health practitioners registration council of Nigeria'.
Face-off in Kano
I am aware that the council is aware of the face-off between environmental health practitioners working in the Kano state ministry of health with authority over the stance that they must all be transfer to the state ministry of environment where in the thinking of the state their work is more relevant. The council should take an active measure to see that move discarded. I wrote on this in the New Nigerian Weekly, Jan 7, 2006 page 7, Desert Herald Feb, 2006, Daily Triumph Feb 13, 2006 page 6 etc.
Other things
The council should fight over the expunging of environmental health practitioners from heading primary health care department at Local government level by National Primary Health Care Development Agency. The council must ensure full participation and employment of all its members in places that is their professional rights in all aspect of environmental health in different agencies, which as at now was hijacked by other profession. Places like airport, seaport, hospitals, environmental agencies and others The issues discussed by Professor MKC Sridhar in his interview with Health and Environment Voice Magazine November 99 should be revisited and be put in the action plan of the council. More so, affiliation with other international organization should be form.
The council should remember that the task ahead is big and that "the public is full of hope and high expectation, hoping that you will be able to return Nigeria to the good old days of discipline hygiene" according to the then minister of environment [Daily Trust March 17, 2004].
At the end, I am congratulating all Environmental Health Officers of Nigeria for this new lease of life they found themselves. Environmental Health Officers Association of Nigeria has achieved many things like upgrading GL14 bar for the profession to GL 17, registration of Environmental health Officers Council act, registration of Society for Environmental Health of Nigeria, exploring opportunities for improved higher education and Environmental health act 2003 which was not reviewed since 1958. Thanks goes to Allah whom due to his infinite power bless us and make this association a reality, and to Mr. Abiodun Bamgboye who is our 'Dr. Isaac Oluwole' of this century due to his unquantifiable contribution for many years in making all these achievements a reality, plus the workaholic Anieofik Moses, Ebike Augustine, Bala Mohammed Tukur etc . May Allah reward them, so also to everybody who in one way or the other contribute with suggestion, advice, and prayers in making the council what it is today, therefore we want the youth to support this vision under the leadership of Mr. Abiodun Bamigboye and Ayuba P waabba-the current president Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria [at the association level], and Emir of Ningi Alh Muhd Danyaya, Ibrahim Malami, Ebisike Augustine [at council level]. This will ensure that the profession and the association are placed in an irreversible position in the scheme of things in Nigeria.
Sani Garba Mohammed, is of PHC department, Karaye LGA, Kano state.
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