- AYGF criticized the outbreak of heavy metal poisoning in Sokoto State, highlighting critical deficiencies in water supply and sanitation
- According to AYGF, the absence of reliable water, sanitation, and electricity infrastructure exacerbates the health crisis and requires urgent national action
The Africa Youth Growth Foundation (AYGF) has strongly criticized the outbreak of heavy metal poisoning in Sokoto State.
Following preliminary findings by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) linking recent mysterious deaths in Sokoto to heavy metal poisoning, AYGF Executive Director Arome Salifu expressed concern.
In a statement released in Abuja and shared with journalists, Salifu revealed that during an outreach in the Gaidan settlement, Gidan Katta ward of Illela LGA, Sokoto State, cases of heavy metal poisoning were uncovered.
AYGF identified three critical infrastructure deficiencies exacerbating the health crisis:
- Water Supply: Depending on potentially contaminated local wells, the community lacks reliable and clean water.
- Sanitation: Open defecation is widespread, with no public toilets, including in schools, compromising hygiene.
- Electricity: The absence of electricity affects food preservation and overall hygiene, worsening health risks.
In light of these challenges, AYGF is advocating for urgent national action to address the crisis, improve access to healthcare services, and provide assistance to the numerous victims suffering from heavy metal poisoning.