Polio lalaganap sa nagkalat na dumi ng tao

POSIBLENG kumalat umano ang polio dahil sa open defecation o pagdumi ng isang tao sa labas ng banyo.

Ayon sa EcoWaste Coalition dapat magpatupad ang gobyerno ng Zero Open Defecation program upang maiwasan ang paglaganap ng polio matapos kumpirmahin ng Department of Health na may dalawang kaso ng naturang sakit sa Lanao del Sur at Laguna.

“The unwelcomed return of polio in the Philippines, after almost two decades of being declared polio-free by WHO, should lead to an intensified implementation of the ZOD program and other preventive measures, including ecological solid waste management, toward improved environmental sanitation in our communities,” ani Jovito Benosa, zero waste campaigner ng EcoWaste.

Sa ulat ng United Nations Children’s Fund at World Health Organization, may 7milyong Filipino ang gumagawa ng open defecation.

Mahalaga umano na magkaroon ng programa ang gobyerno para sa pagtatayo ng mga sanitary toilet facilities.

Iniugnay naman ni AnaKalusugan Rep. Mike Defensor ang pagkalat ng sakit sa kakulangan ng suplay ng malinis na tubig.

“We imagine the severe water supply interruptions between March to early August – mainly due to dams across the country drying up on account of the prolonged drought – played a part in the spread of diseases,” ani Defensor. “The reality is, lack of water can force people, especially in disadvantaged communities, to defecate in the open – even in places where children may be playing.”