Diarrhea: Nigeria losses 60,000 children yearly
WaterAid-Nigeria says about 60,000 children below the age of five years still die every year in Nigeria, owing to diarrhea infections.
Communications and Media Manager of WaterAid Nigeria, Miss Oluseyi Abdulmalik, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday in Bauchi, to mark the Global Handwashing Day, celebrated annually on Oct. 15.
“We already know progress is not fast enough; about 60,000 children under 5 years in Nigeria still die each year because of diarrhea.
“That is linked to dirty water, poor toilets and poor hygiene, pointing out that everyone has a right to water and our leaders must act to leave no one behind.”
According to her, washing hands with soap and water reduces cases of diarrhea by almost 50 percent, yet on average, around the world only 19 per cent of people wash hands with soap after defecation.
She urged governments to prioritise the promotion of handwashing, along with water and sanitation to save lives.
