By Sanitarian Olatunde Micheal
As we navigate the intricate tapestry of environmental and public health, one pivotal component emerges as the linchpin of public well-being: sanitation. In an era where the world is increasingly cognizant of the profound influence of environmental factors on health, the commitment to safeguarding sanitation transcends being prudent it evolves into a moral and professional imperative.
Recent updates have sparked apprehension regarding a proposed realignment of responsibilities, specifically the transfer of sanitation oversight from the Federal Ministry of Environment to the Federal Ministry of Water Resources. While administrative adjustments are a norm, professionals deeply dedicated to the cause of environmental health must meticulously dissect the ramifications of such a shift.
The rationale behind this proposed transformation warrants scrutiny for a compelling reason. It necessitates contemplation on whether it genuinely champions the comprehensive management of sanitation issues, guided by an unwavering focus on public health, environmental sustainability, and the well-being of our populace—or if it inadvertently caters to individual economic interests. As professionals, it is our solemn duty to advocate for the former.
The envisaged transition places sanitation under the purview of the Ministry of Water Resources, potentially tilting the emphasis disproportionately toward water-related concerns. This adjustment has the potential to relegate the broader facets of environmental and health aspects of sanitation to the shadows.
The Ministry of Environment, equipped with an abundance of expertise in environmental management and health, constitutes the bedrock upon which our all-encompassing sanitation approach is constructed. Any divergence from this path carries the perilous prospect of eroding specialized knowledge and capacity within this pivotal domain.
Moreover, this administrative adjustment threatens to create a ripple effect that may inadvertently sideline essential components of sanitation, including waste management, sewage treatment, fecal oral disease elimination, disinfestation, decontamination, hand-washing, community sanitation and prosecution of sanitary offenders should they fail to garner the requisite priority within the Ministry of Water Resources.
Such inadvertent neglect could potentially precipitate severe consequences on public health, a scenario that we, as stalwart environmental health professionals, have vowed to stave off.
Our commitment to the sanctity of public health and the preservation of our environment extends beyond administrative fluctuations.
It mandates our operation within an ecosystem of collaboration—a finely tuned synergy among diverse sectors that collectively shape the well-being of our populace. Effective sanitation hinges upon a harmonious collaboration across multiple domains, including health, environment, and urban planning. Any structural realignment devoid of due contemplation for this interdependence risks disrupting these collaborative endeavors, imperiling the welfare of our population and the sustainability of our environment.
In light of these grave concerns, I extend an impassioned call to all concerned entities, imploring them to forge a united front against this contemplated transition. Let us collectively shield our profession from any unintended consequences that might stem from this administrative metamorphosis.
Together, we can ensure that sanitation steadfastly maintains its pivotal role within our shared mission to protect public health, preserve environmental sustainability, and fortify the well-being of our cherished nation.
In unity and resolute dedication to our noble cause, we possess the collective strength to surmount any challenge and remain unwavering champions of environmental health, to the benefit of all.
Sanitarian Olatunde Micheal is an alumni of
Department of Environmental Health Science, School of Allied Health and Environmental Science
Kwara State University
