Poor sanitation contributes to high death rate - Lecturer

Essienimpong (Ash), Oct 9, GNA- Poor environmental sanitation related diseases have been identified as a major contributory factor to deaths in the country apart from motor accidents.

Dr William Ellis, Head of the Bio-Chemistry Department of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) said certain diseases could be prevented if people kept their environment clean. Speaking at a durbar organised by the KNUST branch of the Ghana Bio-Chemistry Students Association (GBSA) for the people of Essienimpong in the Ejisu-Juaben District, as part of its week-long celebration, he said drying food on the ground could attract a lot of microscopic germs and cause an outbreak of an epidemic.

Dr Ellis explained that dust contained microscopic germs that carry toxins, which infest food dried on the ground. He advised people to construct structures above the ground to serve as food driers.

Dr Ellis urged the people to organise regular environmental cleaning exercises around their surroundings so as to prevent the spread of mosquitoes.

Mr Kwaku Akoi Tete, President of the Association, said they chose the theme: "A healthy citizen, A better nation" to sensitise the community on good nutrition and general environmental sanitation. Mr Tete presented drugs as Fist Aid Kit to the community through the assemblyman, Mr Osei Kofi.

Mr Osei Kofi thanked the association for the donation and urged them to continue with their good work.