Mustapha Abdullahi
By Akanji Alowoludo, Bauchi
Governments at all levels as well as development partners and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) have been reminded that people living with different forms of Disabilities (PWDs) should always be considered while constructing, installing or building Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) facilities in the communities.
The assertion was made by a WASH Volunteer in Bununu, headquarters of Tafawa Balewa LGA in Bauchi State, Mustapha Abdullahi while speaking on the 2023 Global Handwashing Day on Friday during a WASH Media tour.
The tour was organized as part of the activities to mark the Day which comes up on Sunday, 15th October, by Women Development Association for Self-sustainance (WODASS) with support from WaterAid Nigeria and Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA), Bauchi State.
Mustapha Abdullahi who is a Hygiene promoter among Persons Living with Disabilities in Tafawa Balewa local government area, said that the sensitization of hygiene practices to persons living with Disabilities in his community has improved their living conditions as they are now aware of how to use the toilets in public places and their houses without fear of contacting any disease.
According to him, “We teach disabled persons in this community how to ensure hygiene after using the toilet by ensuring that they wash their hands with water and soap as well as wash their clothes after using the toilet so that they do not contact any bacteria.”
He added that, “We teach them to always wash their hands before eating and ensure that their environment is always clean. We ensure that nothing filthy is found around our homes and other places we live.”
Mustapha Abdullahi added that PLWDs have special needs which attention must be paid to in order to make them comfortable as they go about their daily activities unhindered as citizens.
He also stressed the importance of making WASH facilities especially toilets and points of fetching water easily accessible to PLWDs in accordance with the UN charters stressing that disability is not a crime.
The WASH Campaign Volunteer commended WaterAid, RUWASSA in collaboration with WODASS for training them on effective use of WASH facilities in the area saying that it has improved their standard of living.
He also commended the agencies for providing a toilet and water supply to the Bununu community putting into consideration people with special needs in the area.
The theme for the 2023 Global Handwashing Day is “Clean hands are within reach”.
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