1.0 We, the participants of Sensitization workshop on Food Hygiene and Safety for Policy makers and Environmental health practitioners from the 36 states and FCT of Nigeria representing Federal and State Ministries of Environment, Health, Agriculture, Water Resources, Environmental Health Officers Registration Council of Nigeria, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, Standards Organization of Nigeria, Consumer Protection Council, Armed Forces, Nigerian Civil Defence Corps, Local Government Services Commission, Local Government Areas [LGAs], Professional bodies [Environmental Health Officers Association of Nigeria, Nigerian Institute of Food Science and Technology], Non-governmental Organizations, Water aid and the Mass Media, met in Abuja at the above workshop to discuss issue relating to Food Hygiene and Safety in the Country and resolve as follows:
1.1 We recognize the role of food as a necessity to man’s existence but equally recognize its potential of being a vehicle of transmission of diseases many of which are communicable.
1.2 We recognizes that, against the tide of economic challenges and weak political will, the importance of food safety is not well appreciated, hence the need for this sensitization workshop for the policy makers.
1.3 we are concerned about the poor coordination of Food Hygiene and Safety issues, which is undermining the efforts of the country towards improving public health and generating wealth through food exports in support of the transformation Agenda of the Federal Government.
1.4 We are equally concerned about weak coordination of Food Hygiene and Safety at the Federal, State and local Government levels. Of special note is the non-implementation of the National Policy Guidelines on Food Sanitation.
1.5 We are also concerned that Nigeria may not be able to achieve goals 1, 4 and 6 of the Millennium Developments Goals which aim at eradication of extreme hunger and poverty, Reducing child mortality and combating HIV/AIDS, Malaria and other diseases [including food borne] by 2015.
1.6 We are concerned about non availability of funding for Food Hygiene and Safety from Government at all levels.
1.7 We also identified the plethora of food laws, with the attendant multiplicity and difficulty in their implementation, owing to deficiencies of their provisions in addressing the present day food hygiene and safety challenges.
1.8 We are worried that there is lack of equipment and materials needed for the smooth running of food Hygiene and Safety services in Nigeria.
1.9 We are equally bothered about the poor state of Food establishments [Abattoirs, Slaughter slabs and meat shops and stalls, Restaurants, Fast food joints and food canteens, street vended food outlets, hotels, bakeries, cold stores and Suya spots, beer and pepper soup joints etc.
1.10 We are equally concerned that failures of policies developed are due to non-involvement of relevant stakeholders in their formulation who are crucial for their implementation at the grassroots level.
2.0 We now call on Government at all levels to ensure effective implementation of Food Hygiene and Safety program in the country with particular attention to:
2.1 Review all relevant laws with adequate provision for food Hygiene and Safety.
2.2 Set in motion necessary machinery for the implementation of National Policy Guidelines on Food Hygiene and Safety in Nigeria
2.3 Put in place modalities for multi-sectoral collaboration for effective management of food Hygiene and Safety.
2.4 Adopt effective and sustainable initiatives focusing on participatory approaches to Food Hygiene and Safety issues.
2.5 Increase financial investments in food Hygiene and Safety to scale up service delivery.
2.6 Urges States and LGAs to recognizes Food Hygiene and Safety as a right of citizens, hence all effort to stimulate it functioning must be supported, including where necessary the provision of effective bye-laws to suit local needs.
2.7 Urge Federal, States and LGAs to employ relevant skilled manpower for Food Hygiene and Safety especially Environmental Health Officers [EHOs] and Food Scientist to enhance implementation of food Hygiene and Safety in the country.
2.8 Urge Governments at all levels to strengthen sanitary inspection of premises as a means of improving Food hygiene and Safety services.
2.9 Urge MDAs to make adequate budgetary allocation and timely release of funds for coordinating sanitation and hygiene activities at all levels.
2.10 Request Government at all levels to accord priority to capacity building programs for EHOs and other stakeholders [institutional training; seminars and workshop etc] as a means of improving food hygiene Safety services.
2.11 Request Government at all levels to imbibe the use of Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points [HACCP].
2.12 Call on relevant Government authorities to develop HACCP plans for our local foods such as Amala, Kosai, Akpu, Tuwo, Masa, etc.
2.13 Implore Government at all levels to identify Research and Development as a necessary tool for the development of food hygiene and safety services. In the same vein, results of in individual research works should be consolidated with a view to arriving at tangible national decisions.
2.14 Advocate for the establishment of National Health Management Information System, with food hygiene and safety as one of the elements for effective data management to aid Nigeria’s effort at controlling communicable diseases.
2.15 Accord adequate support to public awareness through community engagement and use of the mass media and other relevant organizations to make the general public appreciate the potential of food and food products to spread diseases.
2.16 Re-establish and equip Public/Environmental Health Laboratories in all the states of the federation to ensure prompt analysis of food samples.
2.17 Encourages Inter Governmental agency collaboration in Food Hygiene and Safety for the ultimate goal of ensuring effective service delivery and control
2.18 Initiate action to harmonize all laws relating to food hygiene and safety in the country with a view to maximizing their benefits.
2.19 Provide sufficient support infrastructure such as vehicles, field test kits and other logistics to enhance food hygiene and safety surveillance.
3.0 The participants appreciate the untiring efforts of Federal Ministries of Environment and Health represented by EHORECON and NAFDAC, the organizers of this workshop at curbing the menace of food-borne diseases to public health in the country.
4.0 Further, and in the spirit of partnership, we call on all actors across the country, from civil society, development partners, the mass media and the private sector organizations, to support government’s effort in implementing the recommendations of this workshop which is aimed at addressing the food hygiene and safety challenges in Nigeria with the urgency and consideration it deserves.
Signed for and on behalf of Participants by the Communiqué group:
Isah Adamu EHORECON
Mrs V. N. Ezeh NAFDAC
Phram [Mrs] M. O. Akeju Consumer Protection Council
Mrs M. B. Kehinde Standars Organization of Nigeria
Mr. J. Funsho Tehinse NIFST
Mr. M. A. Adenikan [Lagos state] States and FCT
Monday, October 3, 2011
COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT THE END OF A ONE DAY SENSITIZATION WORKSHOP ON FOOD HYGIENE AND SAFETY FOR POLICY MAKERS, AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PRACTITIONERS HELS AT SHEHU MUSA YAR’ADUA CENTRE, MAITAMA, ABUJA ON THURSDAY, 8TH SEPTEMBER, 2011
I am an environmental public health practitioner. Obtained first degree in public health [environmental health and safety] from Federal University of Technology, Owerri.
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
The relevance of EHO in Hajj medical team
By Sani Garba Mohammed
Environmental health is the control, in totality, of all factors in man’s physical environment which exercise or may exercise a deleterious effect on his physical development, health and survival. It plays a vital role in control of communicable diseases, potable water supply, food sanitation and personal hygiene. It is multi-sectoral, meaning it has to do with every aspect of man-environment relationship.
For many years, Nigeria has had medical team [comprising only doctors, nurses, and pharmacist] in hajj operations, who take care of the medical needs of the pilgrims. However, their involvement was not formalized untill recently.
The relevance of EHO starts from the training of intending pilgrims at local and state levels, hajj camps, airports on how to observe personal cleanliness, how to clean their environment, healthy eating, proper utilization of sanitary conveniences and facilities, how to prevent common illnesses due to change of environment, also how to prevent motion sickness, and many others.
Environmental Health officers [EHO] are preventive health officers in the field of healthcare development and promotion, prevention and control of diseases; as such, their relevance cannot be overemphasized while in the holy land. Here are few of their roles;
Many pilgrims are new to the holy land, and coming mostly from villages, their knowledge ofpersonal hygiene and how to disposed off waste products to the appropriate place is small; many pilgrims are ignorance of the basic principle of environmental sanitation, they behave anyway they like in littering the environment, hence, they need proper education by registered and license EHO, to sensitize and guide them on how not to abuse environment in the holy land.
Food sanitation: food is one of the basic and indispensable necessities of life, ranking equal in importance with only air and water. Even though Saudi government and some states governments do provide food to pilgrims, yet Nigerians like to patronize the food prepared by Nigerians in the Diaspora better known as ‘takari’ which, according to them, is more tasty and delicious. In this case, EHO would go round the various spots and tents where these foods are prepared to educate the food handlers on the guidelines and procedure they will adhere to from the stage of preparation to the point of sale to the pilgrims, in such a way the food be free from obvious and visible dirt, and from gross microbial, chemical or biological contaminants.
These ‘takari’ are in the habit of getting stale food due for disposal, re-heat it, package it, and offer it for sale to unsuspecting pilgrims, which is contaminated, and therefore unfit for human consumption. EHO, must be vigilant, active and a barrier between ‘Takari’, and the pilgrims, to make sure food offer for sale to the latter is wholesome.
Public health inspection: house to house inspection of pilgrims to sensitize and educate them on cleanliness of their rooms, sanitary conveniences, and proper & appropriate utilization of sanitary facilities provided, to ensure clean and free offensive odour environment.
Diseases control: majority of the disease affecting the pilgrims are preventable, for instance, diarrhea, food poisoning, some allergies, dysentery, etc., are associated with either change in dietary habit, poor personal hygiene, or non-adherence to precautions, and environmental influence. So, regular inspection and educating the pilgrims on how to protect their health, will address 70% of health needs of Nigerian pilgrims.
These and many more are are the good things the EHOs can do.
Based on these, the federal government must make sure only registered and licensed EHOs, adequate in number, are given the chance to participate in rendering their services in the holy land as part of hajj medical teams. States government must be made to be include registered EHO in their medical team, so that their impact can be seen, as doctors, pharmacist and nurses have fewer roles to play than EHO in educating the pilgrims on the do’s and don’ts of prevention, which is better than cure, the are ubiquitous length, not staying in clinics to do their work.
Environmental health is the control, in totality, of all factors in man’s physical environment which exercise or may exercise a deleterious effect on his physical development, health and survival. It plays a vital role in control of communicable diseases, potable water supply, food sanitation and personal hygiene. It is multi-sectoral, meaning it has to do with every aspect of man-environment relationship.
For many years, Nigeria has had medical team [comprising only doctors, nurses, and pharmacist] in hajj operations, who take care of the medical needs of the pilgrims. However, their involvement was not formalized untill recently.
The relevance of EHO starts from the training of intending pilgrims at local and state levels, hajj camps, airports on how to observe personal cleanliness, how to clean their environment, healthy eating, proper utilization of sanitary conveniences and facilities, how to prevent common illnesses due to change of environment, also how to prevent motion sickness, and many others.
Environmental Health officers [EHO] are preventive health officers in the field of healthcare development and promotion, prevention and control of diseases; as such, their relevance cannot be overemphasized while in the holy land. Here are few of their roles;
Many pilgrims are new to the holy land, and coming mostly from villages, their knowledge ofpersonal hygiene and how to disposed off waste products to the appropriate place is small; many pilgrims are ignorance of the basic principle of environmental sanitation, they behave anyway they like in littering the environment, hence, they need proper education by registered and license EHO, to sensitize and guide them on how not to abuse environment in the holy land.
Food sanitation: food is one of the basic and indispensable necessities of life, ranking equal in importance with only air and water. Even though Saudi government and some states governments do provide food to pilgrims, yet Nigerians like to patronize the food prepared by Nigerians in the Diaspora better known as ‘takari’ which, according to them, is more tasty and delicious. In this case, EHO would go round the various spots and tents where these foods are prepared to educate the food handlers on the guidelines and procedure they will adhere to from the stage of preparation to the point of sale to the pilgrims, in such a way the food be free from obvious and visible dirt, and from gross microbial, chemical or biological contaminants.
These ‘takari’ are in the habit of getting stale food due for disposal, re-heat it, package it, and offer it for sale to unsuspecting pilgrims, which is contaminated, and therefore unfit for human consumption. EHO, must be vigilant, active and a barrier between ‘Takari’, and the pilgrims, to make sure food offer for sale to the latter is wholesome.
Public health inspection: house to house inspection of pilgrims to sensitize and educate them on cleanliness of their rooms, sanitary conveniences, and proper & appropriate utilization of sanitary facilities provided, to ensure clean and free offensive odour environment.
Diseases control: majority of the disease affecting the pilgrims are preventable, for instance, diarrhea, food poisoning, some allergies, dysentery, etc., are associated with either change in dietary habit, poor personal hygiene, or non-adherence to precautions, and environmental influence. So, regular inspection and educating the pilgrims on how to protect their health, will address 70% of health needs of Nigerian pilgrims.
These and many more are are the good things the EHOs can do.
Based on these, the federal government must make sure only registered and licensed EHOs, adequate in number, are given the chance to participate in rendering their services in the holy land as part of hajj medical teams. States government must be made to be include registered EHO in their medical team, so that their impact can be seen, as doctors, pharmacist and nurses have fewer roles to play than EHO in educating the pilgrims on the do’s and don’ts of prevention, which is better than cure, the are ubiquitous length, not staying in clinics to do their work.
I am an environmental public health practitioner. Obtained first degree in public health [environmental health and safety] from Federal University of Technology, Owerri.
Sunday, September 25, 2011
DEPARTMENT HOLDS ORIENTATION/INDUCTION CEREMONY
By Mensah ISAAC
It was excitement all the way as National Association of Environmental Health Students of Nigeria (NAEHSN), College of Health Technology (COTECH),Calabar, Cross River state, Nigeria Chapter held orientation/induction ceremony for her 2011/2012 academic session admitted Students. The event held recently at the department's lecture hall 3 witnessed myriads of activities.
In his opening remark,the Head of Department, Environment health, represented by Sanitarian Eyo Essien bid welcome to intakes, saying that the department has the requisite lecturers to train students capable of competiting favorably with contemporaries in other institutions. He urged students to work hard in order to graduate with fly colours.
Giving an Introduction of the department, lecturer, Mrs Christiana Unoh remarked that Environment Health deals with control of factors hazardous to man's immediate or remote environment and capable of affecting man's physically, mental, social, and economic development negatively. She disclosed that Environmental Health Officers are Environmental police stressing that they have the authority to enforce laws bordering on environmental sanitation by way of instituting a legal action against defaulters of environmental laws, and stop activities injurious to man's health.
She outlined Waste management, control/monitoring of pollution media (air,land and water),environmental impact assessment among others as components of Environmental Health. On his part, Cross River State chapter President, Environmental Health Officers Association of Nigeria(EHOAN), Sanitarian Major Major Elijah, noted that the department has two(2) regulatory professional bodies: Environmental Health Officers Registration Council of Nigeria(EHORECON), and EHOAN.
EHORECON is concerned with issuing practicing license to certified Environmental Health Officers as well metes out sanctions on erring members while EHOAN embodies all Environmental Health practitioners in Nigeria. Earlier, Mr Elijah Ivi said that the departments dressing code of catton colour trouser, white shirt,blue tie,epulet, brown shoe and brown belt. Moreso that students with four (4) failed courses automatically repeats a year instead of resitting same exams, hence the need to be academically focused.
While inducting the intakes into the membership of the students' association (NAEHSN),Barr.Emmanuel Eyo challenged students to obey constituted authorities as well as the abiding principles of the department. He charged them to shun all forms of social vices such as Cultism, examination-malpractices etc. CAMPUSLIFE gathered that the intakes were given a tour round the institution's community to familiarized them with some strategic buildings of the institution. They were also taken to OLD Residence museum where they were taught on the history of Calabar and slave trade in Africa.
In a chat with CAMPUSLIFE, the president, NAEHSN, Onu Sabastine Eke informed that, “the programme was part of the association's official annual obligation. This year's was spectacular because about 115 students were admitted to study Environmental Health in College of Health Technology, Calabar, Cross-River state' Reacting, a freshman, Francis Henshaw said the orientation exercise was indeed a eye-opener to profession's ethics, bodies, etc. He promised to justify his studentship status by putting all what he learnt in the exercise to practice.
It was excitement all the way as National Association of Environmental Health Students of Nigeria (NAEHSN), College of Health Technology (COTECH),Calabar, Cross River state, Nigeria Chapter held orientation/induction ceremony for her 2011/2012 academic session admitted Students. The event held recently at the department's lecture hall 3 witnessed myriads of activities.
In his opening remark,the Head of Department, Environment health, represented by Sanitarian Eyo Essien bid welcome to intakes, saying that the department has the requisite lecturers to train students capable of competiting favorably with contemporaries in other institutions. He urged students to work hard in order to graduate with fly colours.
Giving an Introduction of the department, lecturer, Mrs Christiana Unoh remarked that Environment Health deals with control of factors hazardous to man's immediate or remote environment and capable of affecting man's physically, mental, social, and economic development negatively. She disclosed that Environmental Health Officers are Environmental police stressing that they have the authority to enforce laws bordering on environmental sanitation by way of instituting a legal action against defaulters of environmental laws, and stop activities injurious to man's health.
She outlined Waste management, control/monitoring of pollution media (air,land and water),environmental impact assessment among others as components of Environmental Health. On his part, Cross River State chapter President, Environmental Health Officers Association of Nigeria(EHOAN), Sanitarian Major Major Elijah, noted that the department has two(2) regulatory professional bodies: Environmental Health Officers Registration Council of Nigeria(EHORECON), and EHOAN.
EHORECON is concerned with issuing practicing license to certified Environmental Health Officers as well metes out sanctions on erring members while EHOAN embodies all Environmental Health practitioners in Nigeria. Earlier, Mr Elijah Ivi said that the departments dressing code of catton colour trouser, white shirt,blue tie,epulet, brown shoe and brown belt. Moreso that students with four (4) failed courses automatically repeats a year instead of resitting same exams, hence the need to be academically focused.
While inducting the intakes into the membership of the students' association (NAEHSN),Barr.Emmanuel Eyo challenged students to obey constituted authorities as well as the abiding principles of the department. He charged them to shun all forms of social vices such as Cultism, examination-malpractices etc. CAMPUSLIFE gathered that the intakes were given a tour round the institution's community to familiarized them with some strategic buildings of the institution. They were also taken to OLD Residence museum where they were taught on the history of Calabar and slave trade in Africa.
In a chat with CAMPUSLIFE, the president, NAEHSN, Onu Sabastine Eke informed that, “the programme was part of the association's official annual obligation. This year's was spectacular because about 115 students were admitted to study Environmental Health in College of Health Technology, Calabar, Cross-River state' Reacting, a freshman, Francis Henshaw said the orientation exercise was indeed a eye-opener to profession's ethics, bodies, etc. He promised to justify his studentship status by putting all what he learnt in the exercise to practice.
I am an environmental public health practitioner. Obtained first degree in public health [environmental health and safety] from Federal University of Technology, Owerri.
Sunday, September 11, 2011
World Environmental Health Day
International Federation of Environmental Health London, England, United Kingdom
A Proclamation
To All These Presents Shall Come – Greetings
Whereas The Board of Directors of the International Federation of Environmental Health declare that 26 September 2011 be celebrated as World Environmental Health Day, and,
Whereas World Environmental Health Day recognizes the dedication and work of environmental health professionals, environmental health educators, researchers and students around the world, and,
Whereas the services provided by environmental health professionals heightens the visibility of environmental health professionals to the general public, the public sector, the not-for-profit sector, and the business community and,
Whereas the core services performed by environmental health professionals are essential elements in “caring for the environment in the interest of world health”, in building healthy populations, including food safety and sanitation, water quality (drinking and recreational), air quality (indoor and outdoor), community sanitation and environmental health, communicable disease control, tobacco control, vector management, emergency management and disaster preparedness, and,
Whereas the General Council of the International Federation of Environmental Health has agreed to the proclamation of World Environmental Health Day, with consent of the Board of Directors and also to host the Inaugural Environmental Health Youth Summit in Bali, Indonesia;
Now Know Ye That We do by these present proclaim and declare September 26, 2011 to be known as ‘World Environmental Health Day’ within the international environmental health community.
In testimony thereof we attach the logo and crest of the International Federation of Environmental Health.
Witness the Board of Directors of the International Federation of Environmental Health this 26 TH day of September 2011,
In Command.
Robert W Bradbury, President Peter Davey, President-Elect
Raymond Ellard, Honorary Secretary Stephen Cooper, Honorary
International Federation of Environmental Health
A Proclamation
To All These Presents Shall Come – Greetings
Whereas The Board of Directors of the International Federation of Environmental Health declare that 26 September 2011 be celebrated as World Environmental Health Day, and,
Whereas World Environmental Health Day recognizes the dedication and work of environmental health professionals, environmental health educators, researchers and students around the world, and,
Whereas the services provided by environmental health professionals heightens the visibility of environmental health professionals to the general public, the public sector, the not-for-profit sector, and the business community and,
Whereas the core services performed by environmental health professionals are essential elements in “caring for the environment in the interest of world health”, in building healthy populations, including food safety and sanitation, water quality (drinking and recreational), air quality (indoor and outdoor), community sanitation and environmental health, communicable disease control, tobacco control, vector management, emergency management and disaster preparedness, and,
Whereas the General Council of the International Federation of Environmental Health has agreed to the proclamation of World Environmental Health Day, with consent of the Board of Directors and also to host the Inaugural Environmental Health Youth Summit in Bali, Indonesia;
Now Know Ye That We do by these present proclaim and declare September 26, 2011 to be known as ‘World Environmental Health Day’ within the international environmental health community.
In testimony thereof we attach the logo and crest of the International Federation of Environmental Health.
Witness the Board of Directors of the International Federation of Environmental Health this 26 TH day of September 2011,
In Command.
Robert W Bradbury, President Peter Davey, President-Elect
Raymond Ellard, Honorary Secretary Stephen Cooper, Honorary
International Federation of Environmental Health
I am an environmental public health practitioner. Obtained first degree in public health [environmental health and safety] from Federal University of Technology, Owerri.
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Degree program in environmental health
For those Seeking an admission to have a degree in Environmental Health in Nigeria, another opportunity has come at Kwara State University. The university is offering the course from 2011/2012 session.
For more information,please visit their website.
I am an environmental public health practitioner. Obtained first degree in public health [environmental health and safety] from Federal University of Technology, Owerri.
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Enhancing Environmental Health Services In Nigeria
Wilfred Sawa o
08/13/2011
Amidst contentions about its mandate by some recalcitrant practitioners, Environmental Health Officers and Registration Council of Nigeria, EHRECON, is now poised to effectively discharge its regulatory functions, writes HARRISON EDEH.
For the Environmental Health Officers and Registration Council of Nigeria, EHRECON, there is no better time than now. Amidst recent controversies over its oversight functions with some stakeholders in the business, a land mark judgment has been delivered in their favour thus empowering them the full legal powers to regulate the activities of health workers in the country.
The body is statutorily charged with the mandate of regulating the activities of the profession. The council, as a parastatal under the federal ministry of environment was established by the Act 11 of 2002 to register environmental health officers and regulate the practice of the profession. It is not only empowered to register the practitioners, but to also practise same.
In 2007, the council started the regulation of the practices in the area of cleaning services, pest control, waste collection services, among others. The components of the environmental health include sanitation, which is very broad; it encompasses housing, environment, food and some other aspects.
Though it is not the council’s responsibility to carry out these services, those that are registered by the council are duly authorised to carry out these activities. Today, government is trying to bring in some private sector in the provision of services in the area of sanitation.
Finding has, however, shown that in several cases, people who are not authorised by the council carry out these functions in the areas that are of health significance. An unofficial statement from ENHORECON stated that, “in the hospitals where you have to deal with pathogenic organisms, when you bring people who are not trained to clean the hospitals, you discover that they carry out the jobs with minimum health precautions, and that is because they are not professionals”.
The mandate of ENHORECON cuts across the various aspects of sanitation. It involves personal hygiene, housing, environment, food and others. The World Health Organisation, WHO, has already said that 70 percent preventable diseases that are rampant in the world today could be avoided if greater emphasis was given to sanitation. The world body has thus taken the lead in the campaign for a more friendly and healthy environment.
Environmental health has been defined recently as comprising those aspects of human health, including quality of life, which is determined by physical, biological, chemical, social and psychological factors in the environment.
It also refers to the theory and the practice of assessing, correcting, controlling, and preventing these factors that can potentially and adversely affect the health of present and future generations. Environmental health programmes are organised community efforts to monitor and modify man-environment relationships for a better health.
Environmental health organisation essentially helps in the prevention, detection and control of environmental hazards which affect human health. The United Nations, through WHO, has equally specified that the control and maintenance of environmental health can be achieved through functions such as proper waste management, food control and hygiene, pest and vector control, environmental health control of sanitation, epidemiological investigation and control.
Others are air quality management, occupational health and safety, water resources management and sanitation, noise control, protection of recreational environment, control of frontiers , air and sea ports , and border crossing, pollution control and abatement, educational activities, as well as environmental health impact assessment.
Considering these factors, experts have advised that matters that are associated with ENHORECON ought to be handled professionally, like it is obtainable in the fields of engineering and medicine. Trained personnel ought to register with the legally institutionalised agency, ENHORECON, the body legally charged with the responsibility of regulating health practices in the country.
Unarguably, EHORECON can not be at every nook and cranny of the country. That is why it needs the official registration of all those that would work collaboratively with it in order to ensure a professional handling of its activities by those who are duly authorised to work on its behalf.
Recently, the council, in its continuous effort to maintain professionalism and standard, asked people who were involved in illegal practice to come and register with them in order to enhance compliance to the rule of law. But a group known as the Cleaners Association of Nigeria bluntly refused, assuming that the council had no powers to regulate them because according to them, they had already registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission, CAC.
After repeated warnings that they were practising in a regulated profession necessitating the need for their compliance, they rebuffed and headed for the court. That case lasted for almost four years, but eventually, the justice of the high court, Justice Bilikisu Bello Aliyu, delivered judgment in favour of EHORECON.
By implication, all corporate companies who are engaging in cleaning services but are yet duly registered with the council are advised to do so.
In Nigeria, the development of environmental health has a history. As far back as the 18th century, the colonial government took the issue of preventive health services seriously because of the need to prevent the breeding of mosquitoes, which was a major killer of colonial officials. They introduced the then sanitary inspectors to the colony of Lagos.
The position of the sanitary officer was a very top position in the then colonial government. That was why a senior Municipal Sanitary Officer was statutorily made a member of the legislative council in 1913 before the amalgamation of both the Southern and Northern Protectorates.
Following the establishment of council, efforts have been made to raise the standard of environmental health practice in the country. This is because environmental health has continued to play a major role in disease prevention, control and sustenance of environmental integrity worldwide.
According to experts, over 70 percent diseases that cause the highest morbidity and mortality rate in the country is environment related. This makes the control of environmental health practice crucial as it will assist government’s efforts to alleviate poverty, a programme that is central to the Millennium Development Goal, MDG.
In line with this development, Chief Mrs. Helen Esuene, the former minister of environment, housing and urban development, remarked that “the realisation that many practitioners of environmental health do not even know that their practices constitute environmental health practice has compounded the task of regulating their practice”.
Stressing further on the issue, the registrar of EHORECON, Mr. Augustine Ebisike, had disclosed that the landmark judgment in favour of the council would give them the full capacity to swing into the action of regulating the practice of the profession.
He also commended Lagos, Kaduna and Ondo states for engaging environmental health officers in conformity with the mandate of the body. He also remarked that EHORECON would not relent in its efforts towards ensuring that those who are averse to complying with its rules will be appropriately punished in accordance with the law.
08/13/2011
Amidst contentions about its mandate by some recalcitrant practitioners, Environmental Health Officers and Registration Council of Nigeria, EHRECON, is now poised to effectively discharge its regulatory functions, writes HARRISON EDEH.
For the Environmental Health Officers and Registration Council of Nigeria, EHRECON, there is no better time than now. Amidst recent controversies over its oversight functions with some stakeholders in the business, a land mark judgment has been delivered in their favour thus empowering them the full legal powers to regulate the activities of health workers in the country.
The body is statutorily charged with the mandate of regulating the activities of the profession. The council, as a parastatal under the federal ministry of environment was established by the Act 11 of 2002 to register environmental health officers and regulate the practice of the profession. It is not only empowered to register the practitioners, but to also practise same.
In 2007, the council started the regulation of the practices in the area of cleaning services, pest control, waste collection services, among others. The components of the environmental health include sanitation, which is very broad; it encompasses housing, environment, food and some other aspects.
Though it is not the council’s responsibility to carry out these services, those that are registered by the council are duly authorised to carry out these activities. Today, government is trying to bring in some private sector in the provision of services in the area of sanitation.
Finding has, however, shown that in several cases, people who are not authorised by the council carry out these functions in the areas that are of health significance. An unofficial statement from ENHORECON stated that, “in the hospitals where you have to deal with pathogenic organisms, when you bring people who are not trained to clean the hospitals, you discover that they carry out the jobs with minimum health precautions, and that is because they are not professionals”.
The mandate of ENHORECON cuts across the various aspects of sanitation. It involves personal hygiene, housing, environment, food and others. The World Health Organisation, WHO, has already said that 70 percent preventable diseases that are rampant in the world today could be avoided if greater emphasis was given to sanitation. The world body has thus taken the lead in the campaign for a more friendly and healthy environment.
Environmental health has been defined recently as comprising those aspects of human health, including quality of life, which is determined by physical, biological, chemical, social and psychological factors in the environment.
It also refers to the theory and the practice of assessing, correcting, controlling, and preventing these factors that can potentially and adversely affect the health of present and future generations. Environmental health programmes are organised community efforts to monitor and modify man-environment relationships for a better health.
Environmental health organisation essentially helps in the prevention, detection and control of environmental hazards which affect human health. The United Nations, through WHO, has equally specified that the control and maintenance of environmental health can be achieved through functions such as proper waste management, food control and hygiene, pest and vector control, environmental health control of sanitation, epidemiological investigation and control.
Others are air quality management, occupational health and safety, water resources management and sanitation, noise control, protection of recreational environment, control of frontiers , air and sea ports , and border crossing, pollution control and abatement, educational activities, as well as environmental health impact assessment.
Considering these factors, experts have advised that matters that are associated with ENHORECON ought to be handled professionally, like it is obtainable in the fields of engineering and medicine. Trained personnel ought to register with the legally institutionalised agency, ENHORECON, the body legally charged with the responsibility of regulating health practices in the country.
Unarguably, EHORECON can not be at every nook and cranny of the country. That is why it needs the official registration of all those that would work collaboratively with it in order to ensure a professional handling of its activities by those who are duly authorised to work on its behalf.
Recently, the council, in its continuous effort to maintain professionalism and standard, asked people who were involved in illegal practice to come and register with them in order to enhance compliance to the rule of law. But a group known as the Cleaners Association of Nigeria bluntly refused, assuming that the council had no powers to regulate them because according to them, they had already registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission, CAC.
After repeated warnings that they were practising in a regulated profession necessitating the need for their compliance, they rebuffed and headed for the court. That case lasted for almost four years, but eventually, the justice of the high court, Justice Bilikisu Bello Aliyu, delivered judgment in favour of EHORECON.
By implication, all corporate companies who are engaging in cleaning services but are yet duly registered with the council are advised to do so.
In Nigeria, the development of environmental health has a history. As far back as the 18th century, the colonial government took the issue of preventive health services seriously because of the need to prevent the breeding of mosquitoes, which was a major killer of colonial officials. They introduced the then sanitary inspectors to the colony of Lagos.
The position of the sanitary officer was a very top position in the then colonial government. That was why a senior Municipal Sanitary Officer was statutorily made a member of the legislative council in 1913 before the amalgamation of both the Southern and Northern Protectorates.
Following the establishment of council, efforts have been made to raise the standard of environmental health practice in the country. This is because environmental health has continued to play a major role in disease prevention, control and sustenance of environmental integrity worldwide.
According to experts, over 70 percent diseases that cause the highest morbidity and mortality rate in the country is environment related. This makes the control of environmental health practice crucial as it will assist government’s efforts to alleviate poverty, a programme that is central to the Millennium Development Goal, MDG.
In line with this development, Chief Mrs. Helen Esuene, the former minister of environment, housing and urban development, remarked that “the realisation that many practitioners of environmental health do not even know that their practices constitute environmental health practice has compounded the task of regulating their practice”.
Stressing further on the issue, the registrar of EHORECON, Mr. Augustine Ebisike, had disclosed that the landmark judgment in favour of the council would give them the full capacity to swing into the action of regulating the practice of the profession.
He also commended Lagos, Kaduna and Ondo states for engaging environmental health officers in conformity with the mandate of the body. He also remarked that EHORECON would not relent in its efforts towards ensuring that those who are averse to complying with its rules will be appropriately punished in accordance with the law.
I am an environmental public health practitioner. Obtained first degree in public health [environmental health and safety] from Federal University of Technology, Owerri.
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
TRAINING AND FUNCTIONS OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PRARCTITIONERS [EHP]/ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH OFFICERS [EHO]
Considering the dearth of manpower in environmental health in Nigeria, the Environmental Health Officers Registration council of Nigeria [EHORECON], in collaboration with UNICEF, Federal Ministry of Environment develops a curriculum for the training of Environmental health practitioners at B.Sc/B.Tech levels in Nigerian universities.
Right now in Nigeria, it is only Federal University of Technology Owerri; [FUTO] is running the programme, with plan by University of Ilorin to start soon.
What you will read below, is the rationale behind training of environmental health officers at degree level, which I copiously copy from the 24th public lecture handbook of Federal university of technology, Owerri, titled ‘Environmental health and Sanitation as a panacea to disease control and prevention’, by Prof Agwu Nkwa Amadi.
It will serve; I am sure a source of information to aspiring fellow environmental health officers that wants further their education to B.sc/B.tech and higher levels.
TRAINING AND FUNCTIONS OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PRARCTITIONERS [EHP]/ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH OFFICERS [EHO]
The training of an EHO/EHP is rigorous, like medicine and surgery, pharmacy, medical laboratory sciences, etc. The overall objective of the B.Sc/B.Tech [environmental health] degree programme is to contribute towards the improvement of health of the Nigerian population and its quality of life. It is, therefore, expected that at the end of the course, an environmental health graduate should have acquired knowledge, skills and attitudes to achieve the following specific objectives [averagely, the training of an EHO takes average of seven years comprising five years of training in university one year of internship and one year of youth services]:
General Objectives
Upon satisfactory completion of the programme in environmental health, graduates will be able to…
I. characterize major sources of chemical or microbial contamination of environmental media, viz, water, air, soil and food;
II. identify current regulatory programmes and legislative authorities directed at prevention and control of contamination of environmental media including water, air, soil and food;
III. describe major processes in human and natural environments that affect transport, dispersion, transformation, and accumulation of hazardous agents and identify characteristics of the agent, the environment and the conditions of release that influence the environment and distinguish key factors in a given scenario;
IV. characterize mechanism and processes by which toxic or infectious hazards reach target populations and predict the most significant exposure pathways in a given scenario;
V. describe and apply means by which exposures of target populations to toxic or infectious hazard can be measured and]or modeled; indicate how these approaches would depend upon the properties of specific contaminants; and identify sources and magnitudes of uncertainties associated with these characterization;
VI. describe and apply means of preventing or controlling adverse effects of contamination of environmental media [water, air, soil and food] on public health that are available to local, state and federal regulatory agencies or the private sector; and
VII. Communicate effectively with the public and professionals regarding potential public health impacts, mitigation strategies and associated uncertainties related to chemicals, or microbial contamination of environmental media [water, air, soil and food].
Cognitive Objectives
I To describe and apply the scientific principles involved in the identification, analysis and in providing solution to environmental health problems.
II To identify the communication and group dynamic processes necessary to effect changes.
III To describe the investigative or monitoring processes necessary to identify the environmental health problems in a community.
IV To describe in detail the steps in planning and implementing an appropriate environmental health programme aimed at solving these problems.
V To describe the basic knowledge of physical, sociological and biological theories, concepts and principle principles and application of these in the practice of environmental health.
VI To describe in detail the list of the commonest communicable diseases in the country, their mode of transmission and indicate methods of controlling the biological and physical environment so as to prevent them.
VII To list the public and Environmental Health laws of the country and explains their rational application so as to encourage citizen to voluntary compliance.
Psychomotor Objectives
I To perform accurately, standard laboratory tests employed in the monitoring of the physical environment, water supply, sewage disposal and food sanitation and hygiene.
II To design a satisfactory graphic representation of the water treatment plant of a rural community; an urban community.
III To design a satisfactory graphic representation of the sewage disposal and treatment plant of an urban community.
IV To initiate and undertake actions capable of preventing diseases and prolong lives.
V To identify an ill person within the community and make appropriate referral after initial first aid management.
VI To assume leadership role during times of emergency within the community
VII To manage resources adequately and perform required administrative functions.
VII To be able to recognizes an epidemic and design management strategy for its control.
Affective Objectives
1 To demonstrate an attitude that places premium on team work, accepting and performing leadership and followership role with equal effectiveness.
2 To demonstrate an attitude of pride in the contribution of his profession to the health of the nation and hence continually seek self-education and improved effectiveness.
3 To demonstrate an attitude of scientific enquiry in relation to every aspect of his professional activity, never taking anything for granted nor prematurely jumping to conclusions.
Employment Opportuinities
A carreer in Environmental health is both rewarding and challenging. Thus graduates of the discipline will be very suitably equipped to take on gainful employment in the following areas.
i Public health related agencies and environmental sanitation parastasals.
ii pollution monitoring and controls outfits.
iii Disease surveillance units/establishments
iv Research institutions
v Public health department of state and federal ministries of health, public utilities, etc.
vi Agencies concerned with food inspection, standards, disease control vis-Ã -vis immunization programmes, etc.
vii Private establishments and independently operated laboratories/ and referrals units for the analysis of environmental samples such polluted water, food [cooked], confectionaries/ bakeries, etc.
viii Establish private outfits in different areas of environmental health management..
The roles and functions of graduates of environmental health
Graduate employment opportunities will be varied and would include, among others, employment
by international organizations, government agencies as well as non-governmental organizations. Graduate of the B.Sc/B.Tech Environmental Health programme will be adequately prepared to perform the following roles and functions:
i Monitoring and management of environmental safety and protection at higher level of practice.
ii Initiation, implementation and evaluation of environmental health services.
iii Involvement in designing and inspecting of all types of premises and situations for environmental, occupational and sanitation requirement and compliance.
iv provision of technical advice in the enactment and enforcement of laws, regulations and by-laws relevant to public and environmental health.
v Conducting research activities on communities and the environmental health problems and suggesting solutions to the problems.
vi Participating in the surveillance and control of communicable diseases at local, state, national and international levels.
vii participation in the formation and development of health policies for the management and improvement of public health and its sustainability.
ix Facilitation of change towards positive health and its sustainability.
x production of ICT in the relevant areas of public health.
xi planning teaching and training programmes for environmental health personnel, and other related health workers and community members
xii Using appropriate intervention measures to educate the community on issues that relate to environmental and public health.
xiii Engagement in continuing education and research in public health.
Right now in Nigeria, it is only Federal University of Technology Owerri; [FUTO] is running the programme, with plan by University of Ilorin to start soon.
What you will read below, is the rationale behind training of environmental health officers at degree level, which I copiously copy from the 24th public lecture handbook of Federal university of technology, Owerri, titled ‘Environmental health and Sanitation as a panacea to disease control and prevention’, by Prof Agwu Nkwa Amadi.
It will serve; I am sure a source of information to aspiring fellow environmental health officers that wants further their education to B.sc/B.tech and higher levels.
TRAINING AND FUNCTIONS OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PRARCTITIONERS [EHP]/ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH OFFICERS [EHO]
The training of an EHO/EHP is rigorous, like medicine and surgery, pharmacy, medical laboratory sciences, etc. The overall objective of the B.Sc/B.Tech [environmental health] degree programme is to contribute towards the improvement of health of the Nigerian population and its quality of life. It is, therefore, expected that at the end of the course, an environmental health graduate should have acquired knowledge, skills and attitudes to achieve the following specific objectives [averagely, the training of an EHO takes average of seven years comprising five years of training in university one year of internship and one year of youth services]:
General Objectives
Upon satisfactory completion of the programme in environmental health, graduates will be able to…
I. characterize major sources of chemical or microbial contamination of environmental media, viz, water, air, soil and food;
II. identify current regulatory programmes and legislative authorities directed at prevention and control of contamination of environmental media including water, air, soil and food;
III. describe major processes in human and natural environments that affect transport, dispersion, transformation, and accumulation of hazardous agents and identify characteristics of the agent, the environment and the conditions of release that influence the environment and distinguish key factors in a given scenario;
IV. characterize mechanism and processes by which toxic or infectious hazards reach target populations and predict the most significant exposure pathways in a given scenario;
V. describe and apply means by which exposures of target populations to toxic or infectious hazard can be measured and]or modeled; indicate how these approaches would depend upon the properties of specific contaminants; and identify sources and magnitudes of uncertainties associated with these characterization;
VI. describe and apply means of preventing or controlling adverse effects of contamination of environmental media [water, air, soil and food] on public health that are available to local, state and federal regulatory agencies or the private sector; and
VII. Communicate effectively with the public and professionals regarding potential public health impacts, mitigation strategies and associated uncertainties related to chemicals, or microbial contamination of environmental media [water, air, soil and food].
Cognitive Objectives
I To describe and apply the scientific principles involved in the identification, analysis and in providing solution to environmental health problems.
II To identify the communication and group dynamic processes necessary to effect changes.
III To describe the investigative or monitoring processes necessary to identify the environmental health problems in a community.
IV To describe in detail the steps in planning and implementing an appropriate environmental health programme aimed at solving these problems.
V To describe the basic knowledge of physical, sociological and biological theories, concepts and principle principles and application of these in the practice of environmental health.
VI To describe in detail the list of the commonest communicable diseases in the country, their mode of transmission and indicate methods of controlling the biological and physical environment so as to prevent them.
VII To list the public and Environmental Health laws of the country and explains their rational application so as to encourage citizen to voluntary compliance.
Psychomotor Objectives
I To perform accurately, standard laboratory tests employed in the monitoring of the physical environment, water supply, sewage disposal and food sanitation and hygiene.
II To design a satisfactory graphic representation of the water treatment plant of a rural community; an urban community.
III To design a satisfactory graphic representation of the sewage disposal and treatment plant of an urban community.
IV To initiate and undertake actions capable of preventing diseases and prolong lives.
V To identify an ill person within the community and make appropriate referral after initial first aid management.
VI To assume leadership role during times of emergency within the community
VII To manage resources adequately and perform required administrative functions.
VII To be able to recognizes an epidemic and design management strategy for its control.
Affective Objectives
1 To demonstrate an attitude that places premium on team work, accepting and performing leadership and followership role with equal effectiveness.
2 To demonstrate an attitude of pride in the contribution of his profession to the health of the nation and hence continually seek self-education and improved effectiveness.
3 To demonstrate an attitude of scientific enquiry in relation to every aspect of his professional activity, never taking anything for granted nor prematurely jumping to conclusions.
Employment Opportuinities
A carreer in Environmental health is both rewarding and challenging. Thus graduates of the discipline will be very suitably equipped to take on gainful employment in the following areas.
i Public health related agencies and environmental sanitation parastasals.
ii pollution monitoring and controls outfits.
iii Disease surveillance units/establishments
iv Research institutions
v Public health department of state and federal ministries of health, public utilities, etc.
vi Agencies concerned with food inspection, standards, disease control vis-Ã -vis immunization programmes, etc.
vii Private establishments and independently operated laboratories/ and referrals units for the analysis of environmental samples such polluted water, food [cooked], confectionaries/ bakeries, etc.
viii Establish private outfits in different areas of environmental health management..
The roles and functions of graduates of environmental health
Graduate employment opportunities will be varied and would include, among others, employment
by international organizations, government agencies as well as non-governmental organizations. Graduate of the B.Sc/B.Tech Environmental Health programme will be adequately prepared to perform the following roles and functions:
i Monitoring and management of environmental safety and protection at higher level of practice.
ii Initiation, implementation and evaluation of environmental health services.
iii Involvement in designing and inspecting of all types of premises and situations for environmental, occupational and sanitation requirement and compliance.
iv provision of technical advice in the enactment and enforcement of laws, regulations and by-laws relevant to public and environmental health.
v Conducting research activities on communities and the environmental health problems and suggesting solutions to the problems.
vi Participating in the surveillance and control of communicable diseases at local, state, national and international levels.
vii participation in the formation and development of health policies for the management and improvement of public health and its sustainability.
ix Facilitation of change towards positive health and its sustainability.
x production of ICT in the relevant areas of public health.
xi planning teaching and training programmes for environmental health personnel, and other related health workers and community members
xii Using appropriate intervention measures to educate the community on issues that relate to environmental and public health.
xiii Engagement in continuing education and research in public health.
I am an environmental public health practitioner. Obtained first degree in public health [environmental health and safety] from Federal University of Technology, Owerri.
Saturday, July 16, 2011
IFEH 12th World Congress on Environmental health
Dear Colleagues,
The Organizers of the 12th World Congress on Environmental Health have a great honour and pleasure of inviting you to take part in this Congress to be held on 21st-27th of May, 2012, in Vilnius, Lithuania.
The Congress will focus on the most relevant issues that reflect the main theme of the Congress – “New Technologies, Healthy Human Being and Environment” including traditional topics and aspects of environmental health, such as health impact and health risk assessment, noise and electromagnetic fields impact, food safety and public education. The Congress will touch as well new challenges to public health - such as information technologies, gene engineering, new epidemics, climate change and other.
Vilnius, the historical capital of Lithuania, dating back to the 14th century, has the most beautiful and the largest old town, awarded with the status of World Cultural Heritage by UNESCO, with Vilnius University being the oldest one in Eastern Europe. It is rapidly expanding as a modern European capital, so you can experience the harmony of the old and the new Vilnius. For the participants of the Congress this will provide beautiful atmosphere and the mood for work and friendship.
We are looking forward to seeing you in Vilnius!
With warm regards,
Viktorija Montviliene
Chairperson
Lithuanian Union of Hygienists and Epidemiologists
ORGANISERS:
International Federation of Environmental Health (IFEH)
Lithuanian Union of Hygienists and Epidemiologists (LUHE)
LOCAL ORGANISING COMMITTEE:
Viktorija Montviliene, Chair
Audrius Sceponavicius, Ministry of Health
Andrius Kavaliunas, Ministry of Health
Rimantas Stukas, Vilnius University
Romualdas Sabaliauskas, Centre for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention
Ingrida Zurlyte, Centre for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention
Albinas Mastauskas, Radiation Protection Centre
Marius Urbonas, State Public Health Service
Vytautas Vaitkus, Ministry of the Interior
Ausra Isariene, State Food and Veterinary Service
Asta Razmiene, Vilnius Public Health Centre
Robertas Petraitis, Vilnius University
Vidmantas Januskevicius, Kaunas University of Medicine
Asta Slepetiene, Klaipeda Public Health Centre
Janina Tamosiuniene, Siauliai Public Health Centre
Viktoras Grincevicius, Panevezys Public Health Centre
MAIN TOPICS
New Technologies and Health:
• Biotechnology
• Nanotechnology
• Laser (optical radiation) Technologies
• Information technologies (IT)
• Gene Engineering
Food Safety, Nutrition and Physical Activity:
• Genetically Modified Food
• Sports and Nutrition
• Overweight and Obesity
• Technologies for Water Pollution Reduction
• Quality of Drinking Water
• Food-borne Communicable Diseases
Environmental Health:
• Health Impact Assessment
• Occupational Health Risk Assessment
• Noise Impact
• Impact of Electromagnetic Fields
• Air Pollution
Public Education, Communication, E-information:
• Prevention of Harmful Habits
• Children Health Promotion
• Health Protection of Elderly People
The Threats in Public Health:
• Climate Change
• Flu Pandemic, New Epidemics (Avian Flu, SARS)
• Chemicals and Biological Substances
• Radiation Safety
PROGRAM AT A GLANCE
MONDAY (21 Monday 2012)
IFEH Council Meeting
TUESDAY (22 May 2012)
Registration
Exhibition Opening
Welcome Reception
WEDNESDAY (23 May 2012)
Registration
All day Sessions
Reception
THURSDAY (24 May 2012)
Registration
All day Sessions
Congress Party
FRIDAY (25 May 2012)
Registration
Technical Visits
Workshops
SATURDAY (26 May 2012)
Registration
All day Sessions
Gala Dinner
SUNDAY (27 May 2012)
Closing Sessiion
The Organizers of the 12th World Congress on Environmental Health have a great honour and pleasure of inviting you to take part in this Congress to be held on 21st-27th of May, 2012, in Vilnius, Lithuania.
The Congress will focus on the most relevant issues that reflect the main theme of the Congress – “New Technologies, Healthy Human Being and Environment” including traditional topics and aspects of environmental health, such as health impact and health risk assessment, noise and electromagnetic fields impact, food safety and public education. The Congress will touch as well new challenges to public health - such as information technologies, gene engineering, new epidemics, climate change and other.
Vilnius, the historical capital of Lithuania, dating back to the 14th century, has the most beautiful and the largest old town, awarded with the status of World Cultural Heritage by UNESCO, with Vilnius University being the oldest one in Eastern Europe. It is rapidly expanding as a modern European capital, so you can experience the harmony of the old and the new Vilnius. For the participants of the Congress this will provide beautiful atmosphere and the mood for work and friendship.
We are looking forward to seeing you in Vilnius!
With warm regards,
Viktorija Montviliene
Chairperson
Lithuanian Union of Hygienists and Epidemiologists
ORGANISERS:
International Federation of Environmental Health (IFEH)
Lithuanian Union of Hygienists and Epidemiologists (LUHE)
LOCAL ORGANISING COMMITTEE:
Viktorija Montviliene, Chair
Audrius Sceponavicius, Ministry of Health
Andrius Kavaliunas, Ministry of Health
Rimantas Stukas, Vilnius University
Romualdas Sabaliauskas, Centre for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention
Ingrida Zurlyte, Centre for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention
Albinas Mastauskas, Radiation Protection Centre
Marius Urbonas, State Public Health Service
Vytautas Vaitkus, Ministry of the Interior
Ausra Isariene, State Food and Veterinary Service
Asta Razmiene, Vilnius Public Health Centre
Robertas Petraitis, Vilnius University
Vidmantas Januskevicius, Kaunas University of Medicine
Asta Slepetiene, Klaipeda Public Health Centre
Janina Tamosiuniene, Siauliai Public Health Centre
Viktoras Grincevicius, Panevezys Public Health Centre
MAIN TOPICS
New Technologies and Health:
• Biotechnology
• Nanotechnology
• Laser (optical radiation) Technologies
• Information technologies (IT)
• Gene Engineering
Food Safety, Nutrition and Physical Activity:
• Genetically Modified Food
• Sports and Nutrition
• Overweight and Obesity
• Technologies for Water Pollution Reduction
• Quality of Drinking Water
• Food-borne Communicable Diseases
Environmental Health:
• Health Impact Assessment
• Occupational Health Risk Assessment
• Noise Impact
• Impact of Electromagnetic Fields
• Air Pollution
Public Education, Communication, E-information:
• Prevention of Harmful Habits
• Children Health Promotion
• Health Protection of Elderly People
The Threats in Public Health:
• Climate Change
• Flu Pandemic, New Epidemics (Avian Flu, SARS)
• Chemicals and Biological Substances
• Radiation Safety
PROGRAM AT A GLANCE
MONDAY (21 Monday 2012)
IFEH Council Meeting
TUESDAY (22 May 2012)
Registration
Exhibition Opening
Welcome Reception
WEDNESDAY (23 May 2012)
Registration
All day Sessions
Reception
THURSDAY (24 May 2012)
Registration
All day Sessions
Congress Party
FRIDAY (25 May 2012)
Registration
Technical Visits
Workshops
SATURDAY (26 May 2012)
Registration
All day Sessions
Gala Dinner
SUNDAY (27 May 2012)
Closing Sessiion
I am an environmental public health practitioner. Obtained first degree in public health [environmental health and safety] from Federal University of Technology, Owerri.
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Polio eradication: From NID to IPD and the way forward
June 23, 2006
By Sani Garba Mohammed
The struggle to eradicate polio started in 1988 wit the aim to eradicate it out of the world. Since then, various steps were [and still being] taken, but still it is not yet eradicated.
Recently 2003-04 precisely, polio eradication programme or better known as National Immunization Days [NIDs] suffered a major setback of rejection based on cultural, religious and other factors, including a position my state governor took to stop it pending the outcome of the team he instituted to verify the claim of whether or not it is safe.
Many things happen then, which at last the programme to eradicate polio was continued. Since then polio vaccination is being conducted at not less than six times a year, yet the number of polio cases is increasing in Nigeria, and Kano precisely leads in having the highest number of cases.
Having seen the lapses of NIDs, a new name was created to replace the former, that is Immunization Plus Days. The difference is that the latter included not only polio vaccines, but also Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus and Measles injectable vaccines plus 'pluses' like insecticide treated nets, soaps, paracetamol syrup etc that will be given to every mother that brings her child for vaccination. This serves as a booster and encouragement to parents and others to be prompt in making sure their children are protected against these deadly and dangerous diseases.
The change from NID to IPD really brings a positive change, for parents who were hitherto uncompromising and are rejecting the polio vaccines, now brings their children for it, due to the pluses being given. For instance, in my last two days at the last exercise at the ward I Serve, our vaccines finish soon because of the pluses being given.
To those who know me knows that, I am against polio vaccine [despite being a preventive health practitioner] because of the complaint of my people which are why polio only, and yet still it is not eradicated etc, which I even join hand with the like of Dr Aminu Magashi, Supreme council of Shariah in Nigeria etc to call on our governor to do some thing about the polio vaccines as people are scared, hence the institution of committee of expert to determine whether or not it is safe. After the committee's findings shows that it is safe, I decided to join hands with those who matter to fight the deadly disease.
My being in the programme at my LGA level proves to me that the number of polio cases is increasing daily despite the polio vaccine programme. As such, my little experience tells me that all the previous setback and rejection based on some factors not withstanding, health workers, health education unit and LGA authorities must also be blame. There are many health workers that engage in polio vaccination programme, yet they are preventing their children and those they are close to not allow their children be vaccinated with oral polio vaccine, they are still much around, as such their posture further re-embolden many not to accept it, based on the fact that even 'health worker[s] did not believe in it, why should I'?
The health education unit of majority of our local government authorities are moribund, no money for them, no working equipment, in fact no any logistical support to carry out their duty of educating the public to know the importance of immunization in relation to the health status of their children. The local authorities [in collaboration with some medical staffs] have hijacked and politicize the recruitment of polio administrators by engaging those they like [with inclusion of few health practitioners], some of which are even illiterate and ignoramus about vaccine safety, administration, who were given the job to do just to get the money. This does not mean I am against them to get something, but let them be recorder or ay other things necessary but not polio or any other vaccine administrator[s].
But now with the introduction of IPD, the situation is changing, as each team of vaccinators must have 1 supervisor, 2 vaccinators [all of which must be health practitioners], plus 2 recorders and crowd controllers who can be others.
The way forward
Since now the challenge to eradicate polio has shifted to the end of 2007, and the highest cases is in Nigeria, Kano to be specific, I am advising WHO, UNICEF, COMPASS etc to ensure that these pluses being given are maintain, in fact let some expensive goods be given to mothers so as to encourage them the more, for no large amount of money donated in health services is too much or a waste. If this kind of programme was initiated since, by now large numbers of areas could have been covered, though it is not late.
District ward head [precisely mai unguwa] should be included fully in this activities, because the work will not succeed without their co-operation, for they know their people better than anybody, as such funds and other logistical support should be given to them so as to get maximum result. Mai unguwa has more roles to play more than district head, he should be the man to be help more than district head. I emphasized on him because in most cases they are being sideline by their [some of them] district head, even if they got something from authorities to share with them.
The current exercise need not only a health worker, but competent one, excellent in inter personal communication, advocacy etc, hence COMPASS, must ensure all its consultants makes only a capable ones are recruited to be supervisors and vaccinators.
The local authorities should consider health as a wealth, gives all the necessary logistical support to the programme without sacrificing and compromising competency and standard to their political leaning/selfish interest. Their co-operation will help a lot to make sure we reach the target.
Lastly, all hand must be on deck to make sure polio is not only eradicated n Nigeria but Africa and the world at large.
Sani Garba Mohammed, PHC department, Karaye LGA, Kano state.
By Sani Garba Mohammed
The struggle to eradicate polio started in 1988 wit the aim to eradicate it out of the world. Since then, various steps were [and still being] taken, but still it is not yet eradicated.
Recently 2003-04 precisely, polio eradication programme or better known as National Immunization Days [NIDs] suffered a major setback of rejection based on cultural, religious and other factors, including a position my state governor took to stop it pending the outcome of the team he instituted to verify the claim of whether or not it is safe.
Many things happen then, which at last the programme to eradicate polio was continued. Since then polio vaccination is being conducted at not less than six times a year, yet the number of polio cases is increasing in Nigeria, and Kano precisely leads in having the highest number of cases.
Having seen the lapses of NIDs, a new name was created to replace the former, that is Immunization Plus Days. The difference is that the latter included not only polio vaccines, but also Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus and Measles injectable vaccines plus 'pluses' like insecticide treated nets, soaps, paracetamol syrup etc that will be given to every mother that brings her child for vaccination. This serves as a booster and encouragement to parents and others to be prompt in making sure their children are protected against these deadly and dangerous diseases.
The change from NID to IPD really brings a positive change, for parents who were hitherto uncompromising and are rejecting the polio vaccines, now brings their children for it, due to the pluses being given. For instance, in my last two days at the last exercise at the ward I Serve, our vaccines finish soon because of the pluses being given.
To those who know me knows that, I am against polio vaccine [despite being a preventive health practitioner] because of the complaint of my people which are why polio only, and yet still it is not eradicated etc, which I even join hand with the like of Dr Aminu Magashi, Supreme council of Shariah in Nigeria etc to call on our governor to do some thing about the polio vaccines as people are scared, hence the institution of committee of expert to determine whether or not it is safe. After the committee's findings shows that it is safe, I decided to join hands with those who matter to fight the deadly disease.
My being in the programme at my LGA level proves to me that the number of polio cases is increasing daily despite the polio vaccine programme. As such, my little experience tells me that all the previous setback and rejection based on some factors not withstanding, health workers, health education unit and LGA authorities must also be blame. There are many health workers that engage in polio vaccination programme, yet they are preventing their children and those they are close to not allow their children be vaccinated with oral polio vaccine, they are still much around, as such their posture further re-embolden many not to accept it, based on the fact that even 'health worker[s] did not believe in it, why should I'?
The health education unit of majority of our local government authorities are moribund, no money for them, no working equipment, in fact no any logistical support to carry out their duty of educating the public to know the importance of immunization in relation to the health status of their children. The local authorities [in collaboration with some medical staffs] have hijacked and politicize the recruitment of polio administrators by engaging those they like [with inclusion of few health practitioners], some of which are even illiterate and ignoramus about vaccine safety, administration, who were given the job to do just to get the money. This does not mean I am against them to get something, but let them be recorder or ay other things necessary but not polio or any other vaccine administrator[s].
But now with the introduction of IPD, the situation is changing, as each team of vaccinators must have 1 supervisor, 2 vaccinators [all of which must be health practitioners], plus 2 recorders and crowd controllers who can be others.
The way forward
Since now the challenge to eradicate polio has shifted to the end of 2007, and the highest cases is in Nigeria, Kano to be specific, I am advising WHO, UNICEF, COMPASS etc to ensure that these pluses being given are maintain, in fact let some expensive goods be given to mothers so as to encourage them the more, for no large amount of money donated in health services is too much or a waste. If this kind of programme was initiated since, by now large numbers of areas could have been covered, though it is not late.
District ward head [precisely mai unguwa] should be included fully in this activities, because the work will not succeed without their co-operation, for they know their people better than anybody, as such funds and other logistical support should be given to them so as to get maximum result. Mai unguwa has more roles to play more than district head, he should be the man to be help more than district head. I emphasized on him because in most cases they are being sideline by their [some of them] district head, even if they got something from authorities to share with them.
The current exercise need not only a health worker, but competent one, excellent in inter personal communication, advocacy etc, hence COMPASS, must ensure all its consultants makes only a capable ones are recruited to be supervisors and vaccinators.
The local authorities should consider health as a wealth, gives all the necessary logistical support to the programme without sacrificing and compromising competency and standard to their political leaning/selfish interest. Their co-operation will help a lot to make sure we reach the target.
Lastly, all hand must be on deck to make sure polio is not only eradicated n Nigeria but Africa and the world at large.
Sani Garba Mohammed, PHC department, Karaye LGA, Kano state.
I am an environmental public health practitioner. Obtained first degree in public health [environmental health and safety] from Federal University of Technology, Owerri.
The tasks before EHORCN
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.
I am an environmental public health practitioner. Obtained first degree in public health [environmental health and safety] from Federal University of Technology, Owerri.
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