Dr Vincent Okpala, the Commissioner for Health, said this when he received the Zonal State Coordinator of EHORCN and other delegates at his office in Awka.

Okpala said that a high percentage of the country’s disease burden was linked to factors in the environment.

According to him, environmental health is a key part of any comprehensive public health system, hence, the need to maintain the partnership.

“Environmental health officers are responsible for monitoring and enforcing health and hygiene legislation as well as improve sanitation services across the country.

“They also play a significant role and focus on the relationships between the people and their environment, promoting human health and well-being.

“This partnership is very important, so that we will continue to advocate for a clean and healthy environment because a good, hygienic and conducive environment begets good health.

“I am glad that your group are alive to the work of investigating pollution, indiscriminate waste disposal, noise problem, toxic contamination, pest infestation or an outbreak of food poisoning,” he said.

Earlier, Mr Kelvin Okafor, Zonal Coordinator, EHORCN, said the purpose of their visit was to solicit for the ministry’s continued support in providing better platforms for environmental officers to operate.

Okafor said there was a need for synergy between environmental health officers and the health ministry in handling environmental health matters in the state.

“We want to re-establish the long-existing relationship with the Ministry of Health so that we can address sanitation challenges in the state.

“We have been working with the state in the areas of waste management and paste control. We are also appealing for the establishment of a working platform, especially in hospitals to protect public health,” he said. (NAN)

-Feb, 17, 2021 13:04 AM