The Lagos State Government has urged stakeholders to focus on creating extensive public health awareness on the importance of observing behavioural lifestyles that promote good health.
The Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. Titilayo Goncalves, made the appeal at a health symposium organised by the state government in collaboration with Tolaram Africa Enterprise, makers of Hypo Bleach disinfectant.
Goncalves was represented by Dr. Rotimi Agbolagorite, a director in the Disease Control Unit of the ministry. The symposium was held to commemorate the World Health Day marked annually on April 7, with theme as: “Universal Health Coverage: Everyone, Everywhere.’’
“April 7 is set to celebrate global health awareness and sensitisation.
“While it is important for the populace to have good health-seeking behaviour to improve their health as individuals and as a community, the day seeks to draw attention to major global health concerns.
“It also provides countries and organisations with ideas on how best to handle global health concerns.’’
Goncalves said the state government commemorated the day with a health fitness walk, symposium, medical screening and community clean-up exercise tagged: “Team up to Clean up’’.
According to her, the aim of the clean-up exercise is to stress the importance of community ownership when it comes to cleanliness.
“Coincidentally, today, we are here to celebrate with good collaboration with our partners, Hypo disinfectant.
“As we know, cleanliness is next to godliness; Hypo is a good disinfectant that kills germs; it is important to use it for our daily activities.
“So that at least we keep our environment and domestic arena clean and germ free,’’ she said.
The Brand Manager, Hypo, Mr. Onome Asagbara, said the need to partner government and other organisations became necessary to spread the message of adopting good hygiene as a way of life.
According to him, Hypo has visited over 20 million homes to teach people how to clean their homes.
Asagbara said: “The World Health Day marks the hygienic culture in every nation.
“So, we decided to partner with the ministries of Health and Environment to propagate the message which we have been telling Nigerians that hygiene is important.
“We are collaborating in the business of cleanliness and healthy living because we understand that a clean environment is safe for healthy living.
“Also, as we mark this day, we are flagging off our own activity tagged `team up to clean up’. It is indeed a significant day for Nigerians.
“If we want to have a comprehensive health care, we need to team up to clean up and I call on stakeholders to do what is necessary to the preventive part of healthcare,’’ he said.
