ABUJA – Dr Christian Okebaram, Secretary, Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Abuja chapter, has advised Nigerians to maintain consistency in hygienic practice in order to avoid communicable diseases.
Okebaram told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in an interview that the act of cleanliness should be cultivated by every individual.
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He expressed concern with the people’s lack of interest in keeping their environment clean, adding that most communicable diseases thrived in dirty or untidy environment.
Okebaram recalled the outbreak of the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) and how serious approach was given to it by Nigerians, who made sure they observed the tradition of keeping their hands clean regularly.
“But with time, the practice has reduced, people no longer take hygiene serious.
“In public places, including banks, there are wash hand basins and soaps in designated locations but people are no longer using them, owing to the fact that Nigeria has been declared free of EVD,”he said.
Okebaram, however, noted that despite the fact that some people were not consistent with staying clean, there were still individuals, who would not joke with their cleanliness.
The doctor emphasised that even in the absence EVD, precautionary measures and personal hygiene should be a regular practice in order to avoid communicable diseases.
Mrs Comfort Adekeye, a Chief Nursing Officer with NAN, stressed the need for consistent cleanliness for a healthy living.
Adekeye said that the consistency in creating awareness on communicable diseases still remained the sure way of taking precautions.
“When the scope of awareness is widened, people are sure of what it takes to ensure adequate cleanliness,’’ she said.[pro_ad_display_adzone id=”10″]
She also expressed concern with the uninteresting attitude with which Nigerians treat the issue of personal hygiene. [pro_ad_display_adzone id=”10″]
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“Nigerians are so casual about cleanliness, forgetting that cleanliness is next to godliness,’’ she noted.
Adekeye encouraged people to keep clean, wash hands regularly as a habit, adding that most illnesses were mostly transferred from hand to mouth.
Also speaking, Miss Bimbo Adeniyi, a business woman at Garki Ultra modern market, said the tradition of constantly keeping hands and our environment clean was not always an easy task.
“I am doing my best to be clean, regardless of the fact I am trading in a public place,’’ she said.
“There are times when you want to be clean but the person next to you is not doing the same thing and that is very discouraging,’’ she said.
Also, Chibuike Okika, a pupil of the Redeemers Nursery and Primary School, Lugbe, said their teachers always ensured that they washed their hands, especially after making use of the toilet. (NAN)
