Open defecation causes health problems, diseases — UNICEF

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has revealed that open defecation is a major trigger for various diseases, including respiratory diseases, tuberculosis, and water-borne diseases and many more.

The UNICEF WASH Manager, Mamita Bora Thakkar, disclosed this during a media parley in Maiduguri, on Monday commemorating the 2024 World Toilet Day.

Thakkar noted that open defecation not only harms physical health but also affects productivity, school attendance, and overall quality of life. It can also cause malnutrition in children due to diarrhea leading to nutrient loss and stunted growth.

According to her, globally, 3.5 billion people lack access to safe toilets, 2.2 billion lack safe drinking water, and 419 million practice open defecation.

She explained that in Nigeria, 53% of Borno residents use basic latrines, leaving nearly half the population vulnerable to diseases like cholera, typhoid, diarrhea, intestinal infections, respiratory diseases, and tuberculosis.

“Despite recent flooding setbacks, Borno State has achieved significant progress in ending open defecation.

“UNICEF in partnership with the state government will launch a Roadmap to end open defecation on November 19, 2024, and constituted an Inter-Ministerial Steering Committee on WASH. Two Local Government Areas have been declared Open Defecation Free,” she added.

To achieve universal access, Borno State must focus on speed, scale, equity, and sustainability. Leadership with clear accountabilities at all levels is crucial.

UNICEF commended Borno’s commitment and pledges continued collaboration to implement the ODF roadmap, strengthening community resilience and serving women and children. With six years left to achieve SDG 6, the window for action is rapidly closing.

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