EHOAN Calls for Increased Investment in Environmental Health Services in Oshimili South
By Gilbert Olie
The Environmental Health Officers Association of Nigeria (EHOAN), Oshimili South Local Government Area Chapter, has called for increased investment in environmental health services as part of efforts to prevent diseases and protect communities.
The association made the call in Asaba during activities marking the 2026 Environmental Health Week and World Environmental Health Day, organised under the theme: “Environmental Health: Standing with Science to Protect Communities.”
The theme highlights the importance of applying scientific evidence, reliable data, observation, testing and modern methods in tackling environmental health challenges, including sanitation, waste management, water safety, food hygiene and disease prevention.
Chairman of EHOAN, Oshimili South Chapter, Sanitarian Nancy Chinedum-mekwuye, urged environmental health officers to maintain professional standards and rely on evidence-based approaches in carrying out their responsibilities.
She identified poor waste disposal, blocked drainage channels, indiscriminate dumping of refuse along the Niger River and concerns over food hygiene as some of the environmental health challenges confronting the local government area.
Chinedum-mekwuye appealed to the council to strengthen the Environmental Health Department through the recruitment of additional personnel, provision of modern equipment and protective gear, as well as improved logistics for field operations.
She also called on residents, particularly market operators, landlords, tenants and shop owners, to take greater responsibility for the cleanliness of their surroundings.
She urged residents to clear blocked gutters, dispose of waste properly and desist from dumping refuse in drainage channels, warning that poor environmental practices could increase the risk of preventable diseases, including cholera and other sanitation-related illnesses.
Speaking on the significance of the celebration, Sanitarian Esther Edafienene said environmental health practitioners play an important role in disease prevention by identifying and controlling environmental factors that pose risks to public health.
She encouraged residents to make environmental cleanliness a daily responsibility by maintaining clean homes and surroundings, protecting water sources and avoiding practices that could expose communities to health hazards.
The Deputy Director commended the Oshimili South Local Government Council for supporting the programme and urged environmental health officers to remain committed to professionalism, scientific practice and community service.
The week-long programme featured clean-up exercises and public sensitisation activities aimed at promoting cleaner, healthier and safer communities.
