KNSG in collaboration with Resolve to Save Lives organized Multi Sectoral Plan to Combat Lead Poisoning in the state
Kano State Government, in collaboration with Resolve to Save Lives (RTSL), has concluded a high-level co-creation workshop to develop a comprehensive, multi-sectoral plan to prevent and control lead poisoning.
The initiative, aims to tackle the pervasive sources of lead contamination which include paints, cosmetics, consumer products, and even water sources, posing severe health risks to the population, especially children and pregnant women.
In his remarks, the Kano State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Abubakar Labaran Yusuf, emphasized the urgency of the initiative.
“Lead poisoning is an element you may not notice until it reaches a point of no return,This workshop is timely and important also, We are really going to involve the community to make them aware of what is happening with lead poisoning and its effects, to inform them properly in order to alert the general public to protect themselves.”
Dr. Yusuf confirmed that the outcomes of the workshop would be harmonized into state policy, ensuring that the gains of the collaboration are driven and sustained by the government.
Mrs. Nanlop Ogbureke, Executive Director for Resolve to Save Lives in Nigeria, highlighted the global and local significance of the project.
“The selection of Kano is important because there are significant issues of lead poisoning in the state,we have situations of lead in paints and we also look at lead content in cosmetics and personal consumer products.”
She further revealed that, “We even found out that there’s lead pollution in the water source and also in the environment. These lead to some of the public health issues, including high blood pressure and cardiovascular issues.”
A separate presentation on Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) by the state Coordinator Dr. Hamza Abubakar Ahmad from the State Ministry of Health highlighted the link between environmental factors like lead and the growing burden of NCDs such as hypertension and cardiovascular diseases.
RTSL jointly facilitated the worshop with key experts from the Ministry of Health with significant input from the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change as well as other key government agencies of NAFDAC, Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON). A critical session outlined that under Nigerian law, lead exposure is classified as both a public health hazard and an environmental offence.
“By virtue of the various international and regional agreements, government institutions in Nigeria are legally obligated to regulate the integration of heavy metals in various products, both food and non-food products, as well as outline effective preventive measures to protect citizens from hazardous substances like lead, mercury and the rest.”
PUBLIC HEALTH ALERT; KNCDC-Led Rapid Response Team Visits, over Suspected Diphtheria Outbreak.
KNSG, UNICEF and Partners Commit to End Polio at World Polio Day Commemoration
However,the key regulatory mandates agencies includes the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), and the Federal Consumer Protection Commission .
The workshop, which brought together legal experts, health officials, and environmental agencies, focused on consolidating inputs into a robust framework centered on four key thematic areas: Policy & Governance, Monitoring, Evaluation, Research & learning, Advocacy & Communication as well as Laboratory systems strengthening & Surveillance
With this concerted effort, Kano State positions itself at the forefront of a national fight against a silent but devastating environmental and public health challenge.