WHD: FG tasked to provide central water system for Nigerians

In order to facilitate Nigerians' simple access to inexpensive, safe water, doctors have urged the federal government to strive towards the establishment of a centralised water system.

During a Saturday interview with the Nigerian News Agency, they made the call in honour of the 2024 World Health Day, which is observed on April 7.

According to NAN, the World Health Organisation is commemorating its founding anniversary today, April 7, 9th, every year.

"My Health, My Right" is the topic for WHD in 2024.

The subject for this year is "Everyone, Everywhere: Access to Health Services, Education, and Information," together with "Safe Drinking Water, Clean Air, Good Nutrition, Quality Housing, Decent Working and Environmental Conditions, and Freedom from Discrimination," is intended to promote these rights.

Consultant cardiologist Dr. Ramon Moronkola addressed the issue, stating that central water systems are now required by all levels of government in order to guarantee that people have access to reasonably priced, easily accessible, and safe drinking water.

The specialist, who is employed by the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, stated that the government would find it simpler to oversee and control the quality of water that is supplied to various residences if a central water system was available.

He asserts that one way infections spread is through contaminated water, claiming that people can quickly get sick if safe water is not provided.

"Access to safe water and good nutrition has been mentioned by the WHO as one of the key components of the WHD celebration," he stated.

He stated, "Water is therefore essential to life and a healthy lifestyle; we need it to quench our thirst, even when we eat, as the food must be digested and the body must have water to function and expel waste."

The government's supply of water in Nigeria is essentially nonexistent, Moronkola bemoaned, adding that a central water system would make water more readily available and reasonably priced for consumption.

He went on, "Water is life; without it, there would be no living." Speaking about this at this time is crucial since, in our context, the government's water supply is essentially nonexistent.

"Water comes from several sources for all of us, most commonly from these packaged water sources. To what extent do we know that this water is safe?

However, the government could have more easily kept an eye on the quality of the water that was supplied to various residences if we had a centralised water system.

"Based on the current circumstances, I would advise the government to either look at creating a central water system or make sure that the regulatory bodies are doing more than just taking advantage of and extorting the owners of these packaged water.

"The regulatory bodies ought to take on greater responsibility for guaranteeing that the water they provide is accessible, inexpensive, and safe for human use.

And here's where teamwork will be extremely important. Rather from viewing these producers as rivals or opponents, the regulatory bodies ought to view themselves as partners.

Water is essential to life and cannot be overstated, according to Dr. Bummi Oluwagbemi, a consultant family and lifestyle medicine physician who also spoke.

She recommended that people constantly drink enough clean, safe water, especially during the day when it assists with body cleansing and revitalization.