The Society for Family Health (SFH) has announced significant strides in improving hygiene practices and access to safe water for over 40,000 households in Edo State through its Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene for Healthy Lives (WASH) project.
Evelyn Orakwelu, SFH Representative in Edo, revealed these findings during an assessment presentation in Benin City, highlighting the accomplishments of Phase III of the project, which commenced in 2022.
The WASH initiative, funded by Procter and Gamble, specifically reached 19,585 households across Ovia South West, Esan West, Esan South East, and Etsako Central local government areas. The approach involved targeted house-to-house sensitization, stakeholder engagement, school WASH programs, and the activation of service delivery points.
“By using the company water purification sachets, individuals can treat contaminated water, reducing the risk of water-borne illnesses and improving overall well-being,” Orakwelu stated.
She emphasized the significant increase in the adoption of household water treatment methods, particularly P&G water purifiers, and a marked improvement in handwashing practices, reaching 88.4% adoption in Phase II areas. The initiative also contributed to a reduction in open defecation, a crucial public health concern.
Furthermore, the project conducted over 1,000 school sessions to instill proper hygiene practices in children and activated 153 service delivery points to sustain WASH efforts.
Dennis Abeyiuwa, Managing Director of SFH Access, stressed the critical link between access to clean water and public health and economic stability. “Access to clean water was critical for public health and economic stability,” he said, while acknowledging that inadequate water treatment and supply continue to pose challenges, contributing to the spread of waterborne diseases like cholera despite Edo’s water resources.
Dr. Anthony Nwala, Assistant Chief Programme Delivery Officer of SFH, explained that Edo was selected for the project due to its favorable environment and the pressing water-related challenges, including flooding. “Over the past three years, SFH has successfully implemented impactful programmes that have improved access to clean water, hygiene education, and sanitation services,” Nwala affirmed.
The SFH’s intervention demonstrates a commitment to addressing these challenges and promoting sustainable public health improvements in the region.
