Northern Red Sea region: Community-based environmental sanitation playing vital role in safeguarding public health
The Administration of the Northern Red Sea region stated that community-based environmental sanitation is playing vital role in safeguarding public health. It made the remark at an assessment meeting conducted in Ginda town. Massawa, 26 June 2012 – The Administration of the Northern Red Sea region stated that community-based environmental sanitation is playing vital role in safeguarding public health. It made the remark at an assessment meeting conducted in Ginda town.
Mr. Hagos Milkias, head of environmental sanitation program in the region, indicated that community representatives from four sub-zones, Area administrators and community leaders participated in the meeting, and that the majority of the villages in the region have become beneficiaries of toilets.
Dr. Senai Eyasu, head of the Regional Referral Hospital in Ginda, explained that the introduction of toilets at extensive level attests to the effectiveness of community sensitization activities carried out in this regard. He further indicated that the implementation of the task would continue in the remaining villages.
Mr. Mohammed Ali Osman and Ms. Fatina Seid voiced conviction that infection of communicable diseases was visibly reduced upon resort to latrines on the part of respective communities.
Ms. Amna Haji Osman, Administrator of Ginda sub-zone, lauded the active popular participation in the process of building toilets and popularizing their use. She also indicated that implementation of the undertaking in other villages is underway.
Meanwhile, reports indicated that a similar assessment meeting in Afabet semi-urban center noted that infection resulting from communicable diseases has by and large dropped along with cases of mortality rate of Under-5 children. The Administrators of Afabet, Nacfa, Adobha and Krora sub-zones, Area administrators, members of the Health Ministry and community representatives took part in the meeting.
Dr. Tekeste Araya, head of environmental health in the Ministry, stated that 50% of the local inhabitants of Afabet, Nacfa and Krora subzones have become beneficiaries of toilets, and that higher community awareness in this regard is essential in combating diseases resulting from lack of hygiene.
Mr. Abdu Mohammed Telke, Administrator of Afabet sub-zone, called for increased popular participation in promoting environmental hygiene, and asserted that the sub-zonal Administration is ready to collaborate with the inhabitants.