SPEECH BY KATSINA STATE DIRECTOR OF THE NATIONAL ORIENTATION AGENCY (NOA) ALH. MUNTARI LAWAL TSAGEM AT A TOWN HALL MEETING ORGANIZED BY THE AGENCY TO SENSITIZE PUBLIC ON THE HEALTH RISK OF LASSA FEVER, CEREBROSPINAL MENINGITIS AND CHOLERA DISEASES
Distinguish Participants,
Every year when the weather is changing from cold and dry to hot and wet seasons, the Federal Government of Nigeria through the Nigeria Center for Diseases Control (NCDC) makes efforts to see that people are sensitized on Lassa Fever, Cerebrospinal Meningitis and Choleral, commonly known in Katsina State as Massassarar Lasa, Sankarau da Kwalara are some of these diseases.
The National Orientation Agency (NOA) is the only Federal Government Agency that is mandated to publicize Government policies, programs and activities, takes the responsibilities of sensitizing and enlightening Nigerians on what to do to protect themselves from being infected by the diseases.
This Town Hall meeting as part of NOA preventive sensitization program ls on the three diseases earlier mentioned. This campaign is concurrently going on throughout the country.
The objective of the Town Hall meeting is to allow stakeholders brainstorm and contribute ideas on how people of the state can be protected against the three diseases. We have in our midst this morning health workers, media organizations, representatives of traditional and religious institutions, teachers as well as women and youth groups. It is my belief that what will be discussed here will benefit us and the larger society not only on the three diseases but on many other illnesses.
Distinguish participants let me appeal to the good people of Katsina State especially those living in the rural areas to imbibe the culture of regular hand washing, sleeping in ventilated apartments and environmental cleanliness as a measure to stay safe against all the three diseases mentioned above.
I have the belief that taking prevention measure against diseases will help parents to avoid spending on treatments the resources that could be utilized in addressing other family needs.
Ladies and Gentlemen selling of uncovered foods such as meat, groundnut cake and roasted fish are rampant in major towns and villages of this state. State Government should stop this practice because of the health hazards that are associated with it.
The current economic downturn caused the emergence of local food vendors who sell food by the roadside. The State Government should also monitor such food vendors closely to ensure that principles of hygiene are being fully observed.
I also want to appeal to the state and local government councils to inspect Islamiyya and Almajiri Schools in the society with a view to helping them to confirm with healthcare rules as most of such schools are vulnerable to health hazard because of their congestions and poor environmental sanitation.
At the household, women have the role to play in protecting the family members against Lassa Fever by ensuring that food and food items as well as cooking utensils are well secure from the reach of rodents.
Distinguish ladies and gentlemen I thank you for listening and I hope we will give our speakers listening ears so that we can benefit from their wealth of experience.
