The Pest Control Association of Nigeria (PECAN), today, joined the rest of the world to mark World Environmental Health Day, with the theme: “Prioritising Environmental Health for healthier communities in the global recovery.”

This is coming as the association called on government at all levels, the public and private sector organisations to give priority to regular disinfection and disinfestations of public places, workplaces, schools, hotels and homes, to get rid of harmful diseases.

PECAN’s National President, Olakunle Williams, said there is an integral connection between the environment, health, and economy. He, thereby, demanded more investment in the healthy recovery of the green and brown environment, in interface with the International Federation of Environmental Health, Environmental Health Officers Registration Council of Nigeria, the Federal Ministry of Health, all state Ministries of Health, the Environmental Health practice bodies, the Environmental Health workforce and PECAN.

He said: “The Pest Control Association of Nigeria (PECAN) has the responsibility to ensure that the environment in our homes, workplaces, schools, shops, and recreational centres, among others, are safe and hygienic for healthy living, through the collaborative efforts of its members throughout the country”.

“As grassroots practitioners, they are familiar with local environment and peculiarities, and therefore, stand a better chance in educating, mobilising and engaging residents for creation of healthier communities. They should be adequately supported in these onerous tasks by government, corporate bodies and well-meaning individuals to enhance their day-to-day preventive health duties in global recovery”.

The World Environmental Health Day was launched by the International Federation of Environmental Health (IFEH) Council as a yearly event, and was first held in 2011 in Indonesia. In 2012, the event was observed in Africa and Europe and was supported in 2013 by Canadian, British, American, Australian, and Asian activists.

World Environmental Health Day is observed every September 26, with IFEH announcing a specific theme for each year, and organising various activities to draw public attention to environmental problems, while promoting cooperation between countries through dissemination of environmental health knowledge about environmental issues on earth.