Jigawa revives house-to-house health checks for hygiene

In a bid to bolster public hygiene and curb preventable diseases, the Jigawa State government is set to reintroduce a house-to-house health inspection policy first implemented in the 1970s.

The initiative, part of a broader strategy to sustain the state’s open defecation-free (ODF) status, was announced during a recent training workshop for environmental health workers.

Commissioner for Environment and Climate Change, Dr. Nura Ibrahim Kazaure, revealed the plans at a two-day orientation held in Dutse. The event, organized by the Jigawa State Environmental Protection Agency (JISEPA) with support from UNICEF, trained 270 health workers drawn from all 27 local government areas in the state.

Dr. Kazaure emphasized the need for the renewed inspections to combat child and maternal mortality and improve public health outcomes. “Reviving this inspection strategy is not just about hygiene, it’s a life-saving intervention that can reduce hospital admissions and prevent outbreaks,” he said.

He also underscored the inspections’ role in upholding the state’s ODF status. “Maintaining our open defecation-free status is more challenging than attaining it. These inspections will reinforce our sanitation laws and raise awareness at the grassroots,” the commissioner added.

Participants were reminded of their key responsibilities: educating the public, offering practical hygiene advice, and promoting affordable, sustainable health practices. Dr. Kazaure called on the workers to approach their duties with diligence and empathy, noting the crucial role they play in community well-being.

In addition to the inspections, the government is building public toilets in schools, motor parks, markets, and other busy areas to improve access to sanitation facilities. These efforts are part of the administration’s broader push for environmental health reform.

JISEPA’s managing director, Mr. Adamu Sabo, praised Governor Umar Namadi’s commitment to environmental protection and acknowledged UNICEF’s role in supporting the state’s sanitation and hygiene programs. He expressed confidence that the initiative would yield long-term health benefits for communities across Jigawa.