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Environmental Health Council of Nigeria (EHCON)
editThe Environmental Health Council of Nigeria (EHCON) has been at the forefront of advancing environmental health practices in Nigeria. Established by the Environmental Health Officers (Registration, etc.) Act 11 of 2002 (as amended), EHCON is tasked with the regulation and enhancement of environmental health practices, aiming to position Environmental Health as a fundamental element of public health.[1]
Vision and Mission
editEHCON is driven by a vision to position Environmental Health Practice as the fulcrum of public health. Its mission focuses on improving standards in training and practice to add significant value to Environmental Health Services. The council aims to ensure that environmental health practices are well-regulated, standardized, and effective in safeguarding public health.[2]
Regulatory Framework
editBefore 2002, environmental health in Nigeria was largely unregulated. The enactment of the EHCON Act marked a transformative step, granting formal recognition and regulatory authority to the field. This legislation established the Council with the mandate to oversee, regulate, and elevate the profession, ensuring adherence to professional standards and practices across the country.
- The EHCON Act facilitated the establishment of the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), which plays a crucial role in enforcing environmental regulations and promoting cleaner production technologies across various industries[3].
- The Act also aligns with international environmental laws, reflecting Nigeria's commitment to global environmental standards.[4]
Institutional Synergy
edit- The collaboration between NESREA and other institutions, such as the National Council for Climate Change, is essential for effective pollution control and environmental management.[3]
- Enhanced public awareness campaigns and educational initiatives are vital for fostering a culture of environmental responsibility among citizens.[5]
Despite these advancements, challenges remain in enforcing environmental laws effectively, with ongoing issues of non-compliance and inadequate public participation in environmental governance.[citation needed] Addressing these gaps is crucial for realizing the full potential of the EHCON Act in safeguarding Nigeria's environmental health.
Leadership
editDr. Yakubu Mohammed Baba serves as the Registrar/CEO of EHCON. Born in Azare, Bauchi State, Baba’s educational journey spans multiple regions and institutions in Nigeria and beyond, including the Higher National Diploma in Environmental Health from Gombe, Master’s degrees from Ladoke Akintola University and Imo State University, and a PhD from Abia State University. His career, which began in 2005 with EHORECON, has seen him rise from Senior Environmental Health Officer to acting Registrar/CEO and then to his current role. Baba's tenure is marked by significant achievements such as the development of critical guidelines, the expansion of practice areas for private sector investment, and the successful hosting of the first National Environmental Health Summit. His global training experiences and numerous technical publications further enhance his ability to lead and innovate within the environmental health sector. Baba’s vision for EHORECON emphasizes the importance of environmental health in public health, advocating for enhanced sanitation practices and professional support to combat challenges such as disease outbreaks and environmental degradation.[6]
Recent Initiatives
editThe Derealization Exercise Campaign by EHCON aims to combat Lassa Fever in Benue State, reflecting a strategic public health initiative to address this endemic disease. The campaign's focus on deratization is crucial, given the disease's transmission through rodents and the increasing incidence in both rural and urban areas.
Understanding Lassa Fever
edit- Lassa Fever, primarily transmitted by the Mastomys rodent, poses significant public health challenges, with Nigeria experiencing recurrent outbreaks and high mortality rates[7][8].
- The disease's endemic nature in West Africa, coupled with inadequate health systems, complicates effective management and control[7].
Public Health Strategies
edit- The campaign emphasizes a "One Health" approach, integrating human, animal, and environmental health to mitigate Lassa Fever's spread[7].
- Community awareness and education are vital, as studies indicate a lack of knowledge and misconceptions about the disease among residents.[citation needed]
Challenges and Future Directions
edit- Stigmatization of Lassa Fever survivors, particularly those with complications like hearing loss, highlights the need for comprehensive support systems[9].
- Addressing ecological factors and urbanization trends is essential for effective intervention strategies in both rural and urban settings[10].
While the campaign represents a proactive step, ongoing efforts must also focus on enhancing community engagement and addressing the socio-economic factors that perpetuate the disease's prevalence.
EHCON’s Strategic Focus
EHCON’s strategic initiatives are centered around improving environmental health standards and practices through:
- Enhanced Training: Providing high-quality training programs to ensure environmental health professionals are well-equipped to handle contemporary challenges.
- Regulatory Oversight: Ensuring compliance with established standards and practices within the field.
- Public Health Campaigns: Implementing and supporting initiatives that address critical health issues, such as the Deratization Exercise in Benue State.
References
edit- ^ Joshua, I.A.; Nmadu, A.G.; Usman, N.O.; Nwankwo, B.; Woje, C.S.; Akabe, J.; Dahiru, M. (2023-03-03). "Environmental Health Officers in Nigeria in the 21st Century: Advocacy and Raising Public Awareness". African Journal of Health, Safety and Environment. 4 (1): 24–33. doi:10.52417/ajhse.v4i1.327. ISSN 2695-1819.
- ^ "EHCON – Environmental Health Council of Nigeria". Retrieved 2024-08-31.
- ^ a b Okeokwo, ThankGod; Ojomachewu, Zekeri, Glory (2024-04-24). "Some Regulatory Framework on Environmental Pollution in Nigeria". European Journal of Contemporary Business Law & Technology: Cyber Law, Blockchain, and Legal Innovations. 1 (3): 45–52. doi:10.61796/ejcblt.v1i3.400. ISSN 3031-7355.
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Glory Ojomachewu, Zekeri; Okeokwo, ThankGod (2024-04-25). "Examining Some Institutional Framework on Environmental Pollution in Nigeria". European Journal of Contemporary Business Law & Technology: Cyber Law, Blockchain, and Legal Innovations. 1 (3): 64–72. doi:10.61796/ejcblt.v1i3.405. ISSN 3031-7355.
- ^ Babaniyi, Gabriel Gbenga; Akor, Ulelu Jessica; Adebomi, Joshua Ibukun (2024), Aransiola, Sesan Abiodun; Babaniyi, Babafemi Raphael; Aransiola, Adejoke Blessing; Maddela, Naga Raju (eds.), "Legislation and Programs Supporting Envronmental Protection", Prospects for Soil Regeneration and Its Impact on Environmental Protection, Cham: Springer Nature Switzerland, pp. 3–14, doi:10.1007/978-3-031-53270-2_1, ISBN 978-3-031-53269-6, retrieved 2024-08-31
- ^ BusinessDay (2022-08-23). "Yakubu Baba: Meet Nigeria's environmental health prefect". Businessday NG. Retrieved 2024-08-31.
{{cite web}}:|last=has generic name (help) - ^ a b c Besson, Marianne E.; Pépin, Michel; Metral, Pierre-Alexandre (2024). "Lassa Fever: Critical Review and Prospects for Control". Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease. 9 (8): 178. doi:10.3390/tropicalmed9080178. PMC 11359316. PMID 39195616.
- ^ Naeem, Aroma; Zahid, Shafaq; Hafeez, Muhammad Hassan; Bibi, Arifa; Tabassum, Shehroze; Akilimali, Aymar (October 2023). "Re-emergence of Lassa fever in Nigeria: A new challenge for public health authorities". Health Science Reports. 6 (10): e1628. doi:10.1002/hsr2.1628. ISSN 2398-8835. PMC 10598329. PMID 37885466.
- ^ Best, Kachollom C.; Ameh, Emmanuel; Weldon, Caroline; Shwe, David; Maigari, Ibrahim Mahmood; Turaki, Ishaku; Ma’an, Nuhu D.; Yilgwan, Christopher Sabo; Makishima, Tomoko; Weaver, Scott; Paessler, Slobodan; Shehu, Nathan Y. (2024-07-15). "Double stigma: a cross-sectional study of Lassa patients with hearing loss in North Central Nigeria". Frontiers in Public Health. 12. doi:10.3389/fpubh.2024.1395939. ISSN 2296-2565. PMC 11284147. PMID 39076422.
- ^ Cadmus, Simeon; Taiwo, Olalekan John; Akinseye, Victor; Cadmus, Eniola; Famokun, Gboyega; Fagbemi, Stephen; Ansumana, Rashid; Omoluabi, Anddy; Ayinmode, Adekunle; Oluwayelu, Daniel; Odemuyiwa, Solomon; Tomori, Oyewale (2023-11-27). "Ecological correlates and predictors of Lassa fever incidence in Ondo State, Nigeria 2017–2021: an emerging urban trend". Scientific Reports. 13 (1): 20855. Bibcode:2023NatSR..1320855C. doi:10.1038/s41598-023-47820-3. ISSN 2045-2322. PMC 10682180. PMID 38012226.