Accra, Nov. 7, GNA - Dr Edith Clarke, Programme Manager in-charge of Occupational and Environmental Health of the Ghana Health Service (GHS) on Tuesday called on Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to ensure the effective implementation of the mandates of individuals on environmental health.

She said there was an upsurge of diseases and deaths, which were linked to poor environmental conditions that could be prevented. Dr Clarke made the call when she took her turn at the GHS Monthly Health Talk on the theme, 'Environmental Health: Our Collective Responsibility" in Accra.

She said diseases such as infections, infestations and cancers caused by poor environmental health had compelled government to spend huge part of the health budget to treat environmental related diseases, which could have been prevented.

She said the poor management of human waste, refuse, the drainage system, and inadequate amounts of portable water, poor health and safety culture in workplaces, schools and other public places were some of the common challenges facing environmental health in Ghana. "The end result, which is ill health and diseases, impact negatively on our physical, social and psychological well-being and that is what we are experiencing now", she added.

Dr Clarke said there was the need for a paradigm shift for every sector to recognize its role in improving health and the appropriate actions to be taken by individuals to mitigate the situation. She called on the Ministry of Local Government and Environment and the District Assemblies to provide toilet facilities in public places like bus stations, car parks, markets and intensify education on its usage and maintenance, adding," This will prevent people from defecating indiscriminately".

"They should also collaborate with the Ministry of Works and Housing and Town and Country Planning to ensure that houses are planned with toilets facilities and constructed accordingly".

She also called on the Ghana Water Company and relevant agencies to intensify efforts to ensure that people had access to safe and portable running water in every home and public places to facilitate thorough washing of food crops and hand washing.

Dr Clarke called for the use of pesticides and other chemicals only as prescribed by the manufacturer and the need for individuals to comply with the provisions for health and safety in workplaces, schools and play areas.

Dr ken Sagoe, Director of Human Resource of GHS who presided, urged Ghanaians to avoid indiscriminate dumping of refuse and ensure that basic infrastructure were in place for the provision of water and basic sanitation facilities in homes, schools and workplaces.