The Importance of Clean Water and Sanitation in Preventing Disease

A small child is struck down with severe diarrhea and vomiting. A family is suddenly dealing with a typhoid fever outbreak. These sicknesses are not just bad luck; they are often caused by something fundamental to life: the water we drink and how we manage our waste. In Nigeria, the lack of access to safe, clean drinking water and proper sanitation (safe disposal of waste) is one of the biggest drivers of sickness and death.

The World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF report that a significant portion of Nigeria’s population does not have access to basic sanitation services, and many still rely on unsafe water sources [Source]. This means that simple things like a glass of water or a visit to the toilet can be a threat to life.

This blog article is your guide to protecting your family’s health by ensuring your water is safe and your environment is clean. We will show you simple, low-cost steps to stop waterborne diseases at the source, saving you stress, money, and trips to the clinic.

The Problem: When Water and Waste Make Us Sick

When water is contaminated with germs from human or animal waste, it is called waterborne disease. These germs can cause severe, sometimes deadly, illnesses.

The Most Common Water-Related Illnesses in Nigeria:

• Cholera: Causes severe, watery diarrhea that leads to extreme dehydration quickly. It is highly contagious and can be deadly if not treated fast.
• Typhoid Fever: Causes a high, persistent fever, weakness, stomach pain, and sometimes skin rashes. It is a serious infection that requires proper antibiotics.
• Diarrhea (General): Frequent, loose stool, often caused by various germs. While common, severe diarrhea is a major cause of death in Nigerian children.

Warning Signs of Severe Waterborne Illness:

• Diarrhea that lasts more than three days.
• Inability to keep down food or water (persistent vomiting).
• Signs of dehydration (dry mouth, sunken eyes, not urinating much, or a rapid, weak pulse).
• A persistent, high fever (above 38.5°C or 101.5°F).

The Obstacle: Why Clean Water is Hard to Get

We understand the difficulties in accessing clean water and sanitation, especially in low-income or rural communities. It’s a national challenge.

• Reliance on Unsafe Sources: Many communities rely on rivers, open wells, or boreholes that are often contaminated, especially during the rainy season when flooding washes waste into the water supply.
• Cost and Distance: Buying bottled water or transporting clean water from distant municipal taps can be expensive and time-consuming, forcing people to use cheaper, local, but unsafe options.
• Poor Waste Disposal: In many areas, especially high-density urban slums, waste and sewage are not properly managed, creating environments where disease-carrying flies and rats thrive, and germs easily contaminate food and water. This is known as Open Defecation (using fields or bushes instead of a toilet), which is a major health risk [Source].

Your Defense: Simple, Low-Cost Solutions

You have the power to protect your home and your health with these simple, proven methods.

1. Simple Steps to Purify Your Drinking Water

If your water comes from an unverified source (a well, river, or public tap with inconsistent quality), always treat it before drinking.

• Boiling: This is the most effective and low-cost method. Bring your water to a rolling boil (when large bubbles break the surface) for at least one full minute. Let it cool completely before drinking. Store the cooled water in a clean, covered container.
• Chlorination: For larger quantities, use water guard or chlorine tablets. These are generally available at PHCs or drug stores. Follow the instructions exactly, as using too little will not kill all the germs, and using too much can be unsafe.
• Filtration (Simple): Pass water through a clean, thick cotton cloth or a ceramic filter to remove large particles before boiling or treating.

2. Practice Safe Sanitation and Hygiene

Clean water and good hygiene work together to keep you safe.

• The Three Critical Hand-Washing Times: Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and clean water at these crucial moments:
  • Before preparing food or eating.
  • After using the toilet or helping a child use the toilet.
  • After cleaning up a child’s feces or animal waste.
• Use a Lidded Latrine or Toilet: Ensure all members of the family use a safe, clean toilet or latrine. Open defecation must be avoided completely, as it spreads germs directly into the environment.
• Safe Waste Disposal: Keep all waste in covered bins and dispose of it properly and far away from water sources.

Common Myths That Spread Sickness

Myth (The Dangerous Belief)	Fact (The Healthier Reality)
“If the water looks clear, it is safe to drink.”	Germs are invisible. Clear water can still be full of deadly bacteria (like cholera). Always boil or treat water before drinking.
“Only washing your hands with ash or sand is enough.”	While better than nothing, soap and clean water are essential because soap breaks down the germs and washes them away.
“Diarrhea is normal for children and will pass.”	Severe diarrhea causes rapid dehydration, which is a leading killer of children. Always give ORS immediately and seek medical advice.

When to Seek Professional Medical Care

While prevention is key, severe symptoms require quick medical attention.

Seek Help Immediately If:

• A child or adult shows signs of severe dehydration (sunken eyes, extreme thirst, lethargy).
• You or a family member cannot stop vomiting.
• There is a suspected cholera or typhoid fever outbreak in your community.
• Diarrhea is accompanied by a very high fever or blood in the stool.

How to Access Care Quickly:

1. Connect with MyCyberClinics: You can use your phone to consult a doctor. They can quickly assess the level of dehydration and guide you on where to get tested (for typhoid or cholera) and what safe medication to buy.
2. Visit the Nearest PHC: Your local Primary Healthcare Centre (PHC) can provide tests and the correct treatment, such as antibiotics for typhoid or IV fluids for severe cholera. They are your first, most accessible official stop.

Your Clean Water and Health Action Plan

Making these simple, low-cost steps a daily habit will drastically improve your family’s health and reduce your expenses on sickness.

1. Boil Your Drinking Water: Commit to boiling all drinking water today. This is the simplest and most effective way to kill germs. Store it safely in a clean, covered container.
2. Practice the 3 Critical Washes: Always wash hands with soap and water before eating/cooking, after using the toilet, and after handling baby or animal waste.
3. Build or Improve a Latrine: If you or your community are practicing open defecation, work with local authorities or NGOs to build or improve a clean, private, and covered latrine.
4. Educate Your Children: Teach children the importance of these three steps. When children practice good hygiene, they become agents of health in the home.

Clean water and proper sanitation are the foundation of a healthy community. By taking these actions, you are investing in a future with less sickness, less worry, and more strength.

Protect your health at the source! Share this vital information with your community and family. If you suspect a waterborne illness or need medical advice on symptoms, connect with a licensed doctor on the MyCyberClinics platform today.