Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has reiterated the commitment of his administration to promoting standard environmental health practices in line with its priority on environment and health, according to the second pillar of its THEMES Agenda.
Sanwo-Olu made the promise at the World Environmental Health Day 2023 organised by the Directorate of Environmental/Occupational Heath and Safety, Ministry of Health, Lagos State with the theme: Standing up to protect everyone’s health each and everyday”.
Sanwo-olu, who was represented by the state’s Commissioner for Health, Professor Akin Abayomi, assured that the THEMES agenda would be religiously and assiduously pursued through the various organs of the government covering environmental monitoring, food safety policies, robust climate mitigation and adaptation plan, including One Health Initiatives.
He stated the government was very serious on this agenda due to the fact that environmental pollutant could cause health problems like respiratory diseases, heart diseases and some types of cancer, especially with people with low income living in polluted areas.
“According to World Health Organisation (2016), global environmental issues account for more than 12.6 million deaths each year.
“Among the challenges we face are climate changes, deforestation, pollution and biodiversity loss” he said.
He highlighted few of the environment challenges posing a threat in a mega city like Lagos to include pollution through obnoxious chemicals, food safety, poor sanitation and traffic congestion.
Director, Environmental/Occupational Health and Safety, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. Theophilus Ajayi, who represented Abayomi assured that the various agencies established to monitor environment challenges would not rest on their oars while the Director, Epidemiology, Bio-Security and Global Health, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. Ismail Abdus-Salam said every resident should support government’s effort in their little corners.
