Adirieje advocates safe water, strong primary healthcare to improve public health

…….calls for community participation, sustainable water infrastructure, disease prevention

By Onu Okorie

Dr. Uzodinma Akujekwe Adirieje, Chief Executive Officer of Afrihealth Optonet Association (AHOA), has emphasised the importance of access to clean and safe water, stronger primary healthcare and community participation in improving public health and preventing avoidable diseases.
Adirieje noted that unsafe drinking water and poor sanitation increase the risk of preventable illnesses, stressing that reliable access to safe water is essential for building healthier and more resilient communities.
According to him, access to clean water can reduce waterborne diseases, improve school attendance among children and ease the burden on women and girls, who often spend considerable time fetching water for household use.
He, however, cautioned that providing water infrastructure alone would not guarantee sustainable access to safe water, highlighting the need for regular maintenance, effective management and active community participation to keep water facilities functional.
The AHOA chief executive explained that establishing local water management committees, assigning clear maintenance responsibilities and providing sustainable funding were critical to protecting investments in wells, pipes and other water infrastructure.
He also advised households to treat or boil drinking water whenever its safety was uncertain, urging residents to report damaged water points and suspected cases of water contamination promptly to the relevant authorities.
Adirieje linked these measures to Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6), which seeks to ensure the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.
Community Action Critical to Healthier Societies
The AHOA chief executive also called on individuals, community-based organisations, healthcare professionals and other stakeholders to translate public health awareness into practical action capable of improving the well-being of citizens.
He urged members of the public to appreciate the contributions of community health workers, support local clinics through volunteering and advocacy, undergo routine health screenings and participate in campaigns promoting disease prevention and environmental health.
He further encouraged communities to take collective responsibility for protecting public health facilities and water infrastructure while holding relevant authorities and service providers accountable for the quality and sustainability of essential services.
According to Adirieje, improving public health requires coordinated efforts to strengthen primary healthcare, prevent avoidable illnesses, intensify malaria control and expand access to safe water.
He maintained that these priorities are interconnected and essential to achieving sustainable improvements in the health and well-being of communities.
The initiatives also align with the broader objectives of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 3, which focuses on good health and well-being, and SDG 6, which addresses clean water and sanitation.
Adirieje stressed that lasting improvements in public health depend on sustained investment, reliable essential services, informed citizens and active community participation.
He noted that public health interventions would achieve greater impact when governments, healthcare providers, community organisations and residents worked together to address preventable diseases and improve access to essential services.
He added that communities must not only benefit from public infrastructure but also participate in protecting and maintaining these facilities to ensure that they continue to serve present and future generations.
Adirieje’s message underscores the need for practical, community-driven interventions that protect lives, prevent diseases and ensure that essential healthcare and safe water are accessible to all.
He maintained that healthier societies are built through sustained collective action, effective public health systems and a shared commitment to improving living conditions at the community level.