The federal authorities has launched a five-year strategic plan to eliminate lead poisoning in Nigeria, with a concentrate on strengthening prevention, surveillance, regulation and coordinated motion in opposition to publicity.
The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Iziaq Salako, introduced the plan in Abuja on Wednesday through the commemoration of the 2026 International Lead Poisoning Prevention Week, themed “From Detection to Prevention”.
Lead poisoning occurs when lead, a poisonous heavy steel, accumulates within the physique over time.
There is not any identified secure stage of lead publicity, and even low ranges can hurt human well being, notably in kids. Exposure can injury the mind and nervous system, impair studying and growth, and enhance the danger of cardiovascular and kidney illnesses.
Mr Salako described lead poisoning as a significant public well being and environmental problem, figuring out kids, pregnant ladies and ladies of childbearing age as notably weak teams.
Strategy
Sharing methods, Mr Salako mentioned the federal government was shifting past figuring out circumstances to tackling lead publicity at its supply.
He highlighted the institution of the Inter-Agency Working Group on Lead Poisoning Prevention and Elimination to strengthen collaboration amongst ministries, departments and businesses, in addition to growth companions.
Citing experiences in Lagos, Ogun, Sokoto and Zamfara states, the minister mentioned interventions have to be tailor-made to native sources and pathways of publicity.
“At the subnational level, we have identified the development of state-specific lead prevention and control action plans for Lagos, Ogun, Zamfara and Sokoto States as an important next step,” he mentioned.
“These plans will reflect the specific sources and pathways of exposure within each of the states while remaining aligned with the national framework.”
He mentioned finalising the Lagos State motion plan was notably necessary, because it was knowledgeable by assessments of blood lead ranges and kids’s environmental well being.
According to the minister, the five-year plan offers a framework for multisectoral motion, together with environmental and occupational surveillance, improved laboratory capability, stronger regulation and enforcement, and clearer referral pathways for individuals with elevated blood lead ranges.
He added {that a} three-year nationwide roadmap was being developed to translate the strategic plan into measurable interventions.
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Prevention
Mr Salako referred to as on state governments, growth companions, industries, civil society organisations, skilled our bodies, conventional and non secular leaders, and the media to assist the plan’s implementation.
He additionally urged Nigerians to take preventive measures, together with avoiding contaminated soil and dirt, utilizing lead-safe merchandise and observing security precautions throughout battery recycling and portray.
Other measures he really useful included retaining work garments away from dwelling areas, wet-cleaning flooring and kids’s play areas, and sustaining diets wealthy in calcium, iron and vitamin C.
Mr Salako mentioned the Federal Ministry of Health and Social . was dedicated to main efforts to shift Nigeria’s response to lead poisoning from a reactive strategy to a complete, preventive and sustainable technique.
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