PECNA president challenges NCDC, EHCON over outbreak of Ebola

The President of the Prime Environment Cleaners Network Association (PECNA), Barr. Yakubu Mohammed Yazeed, has challenged the Federal Government and related regulatory businesses over Nigeria’s preparedness for infectious illness outbreaks, insisting that skilled cleansing and environmental hygiene should develop into nationwide public well being priorities.

Reacting to experiences of an imported Ebola case in Abuja, Yazeed questioned the effectiveness of beforehand introduced preventive measures.

“How many disease outbreaks must Nigeria experience before we take cleaning and environmental hygiene seriously? Government continues to announce preparedness measures, but where is the evidence of implementation, sustained surveillance and protection of frontline workers?”

He confused that whereas investigations should set up the circumstances surrounding the case, Nigerians deserve transparency relating to border screening, early detection methods and the utilisation of emergency preparedness funds.

CLEANING IS PUBLIC HEALTH, NOT JUST A BUSINESS

Yazeed criticised the continued neglect {of professional} cleaners in nationwide well being preparedness.

“We can’t declare to prioritise public well being whereas overlooking the professionals liable for sustaining hygienic environments in our hospitals, faculties, airports, workplaces and houses.

“Cleanliness must become a culture, not an emergency response. Prevention begins with the standards we maintain every day.”

He recalled that PECNA not too long ago partnered with the Environmental Health Council of Nigeria (EHCON) to coach over 200 cleansing professionals on correct cleansing and disinfection throughout houses and amenities for the prevention of infectious ailments of public well being significance.

Through PECNA’s skilled trainings, business boards and neighborhood sanitation initiatives, Yazeed has continued to mobilise cleaners, regulators and business stakeholders in the direction of constructing a stronger and extra accountable cleansing sector.

REGULATORS MUST WAKE UP

Yazeed referred to as on EHCON, the NCDC, the Federal Ministries of Health and Environment, and related state authorities to maneuver past coverage bulletins and set up measurable programmes for skilled coaching, cleansing requirements, occupational security and an infection prevention.

“Where are the enforceable standards for cleaning contractors? Where are the structured training programmes for cleaners in high-risk facilities? Who ensures that the people protecting our environments are themselves protected?”

He urged cleansing corporations to strengthen their customary working procedures, retrain employees, educate shoppers and undertake acceptable risk-based cleansing and disinfection practices, whereas leaving suspected Ebola contamination to authorised, specifically skilled response personnel.

GOVERNMENT MUST ACT

PECNA calls for larger transparency on Ebola preparedness, accountability for preventive measures and emergency funding, stronger enforcement of environmental well being requirements, and formal inclusion {of professional} cleansing associations in nationwide an infection prevention programmes.

“We have mobilised cleaners, organised trainings and engaged regulators as a result of we perceive that cleansing is key to public well being. Government should now match these efforts with decisive motion.

“Nigeria cannot continue to celebrate emergency responses while neglecting everyday prevention. A nation that fails to take cleaning seriously is compromising an essential part of its public health protection.”