The Health Policy Research Group (HPRG) has emphasized that establishing Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) clubs in schools can help prevent disease outbreaks and improve public health.
Dr. Uche Ezenwaka, Principal Investigator of HPRG’s WASH Project, made this known during the inauguration of a WASH club in public schools in Okpoko, Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State.
The project, implemented by HPRG at the University of Nigeria in collaboration with the Anambra State Ministry of Health and Chorus Research on Urban Health, aims to instill lifelong hygiene habits among students and create hygiene ambassadors within families and communities.
Ezenwaka highlighted a 2024 study conducted in Okpoko—widely regarded as the worst slum in the Southeast—which revealed significant gaps in safe WASH practices.
“The findings showed alarming rates of diarrhea and other waterborne diseases due to open defecation, indiscriminate refuse dumping, and exposure to contaminated water and unsanitary environments,” she said.
Recognizing urban slums as hotspots for WASH-related health challenges, Ezenwaka explained that HPRG had initiated several interventions, including training sanitation officers, teachers, and community leaders.
“We have also conducted awareness campaigns and established borehole safeguarding, maintenance, and protection committees to prevent vandalization, ensure water quality, and reduce health risks,” she added.
The introduction of WASH clubs in schools, she noted, is a strategic step to instill healthy habits from an early age.
“Students will learn proper handwashing techniques, personal hygiene, and environmental cleanliness. By fostering these practices early, we can create a ripple effect that leads to healthier students, safer communities, and a decline in preventable diseases,” she said.
Ezenwaka urged teachers and students to apply their knowledge to safeguard their health and serve as hygiene advocates in their homes and neighborhoods.
Statewide Adoption of WASH Clubs
Mrs. Chidinma Nwankwo, representing the Post Primary Schools Service Commission in Anambra State, announced that WASH clubs would be made mandatory in schools across the state.
She commended HPRG for its efforts in promoting safe water, sanitation, and hygiene practices, which are essential in curbing waterborne diseases and addressing public health challenges in Okpoko.
“This initiative aligns with Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s vision for urban renewal and a healthier, greener Anambra,” Nwankwo stated.
Teachers Pledge Commitment
Speaking on behalf of the teachers, Mrs. Goodness Iyiegbu of Faith Model Schools, Okpoko, reaffirmed their commitment to prioritizing safe WASH practices to create a healthier learning environment.
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“Promoting better hygiene practices will help reduce absenteeism caused by preventable illnesses, allowing our students to attend school regularly,” she said.
The event was attended by representatives from Unity Comprehensive High School, Faith Model Schools, St. Michael Model Schools, and Assemblies of God Schools, Okpoko.
As part of the initiative, participating schools received WASH materials, including handwashing buckets, detergents, liquid soap, flyers, and signboards to promote safe hygiene practices.
