Lockdown: Sanitaran cautions donors on quality of palliatives

A public health expert, Kamaldeen Akintunde has called on donors of palliatives in  the ongoing lockdown, which include  government at all levels to be cautious of quality of food items to be provided

Penpushing reports that, Akintunde explained in a statement that this became necessary to avoid contamination and food borne infections while still battling with the deadly pandemic called coronavirus.

‘As public-spirited individuals, groups and corporate organisations have continue to be charitable by supporting government in its provision of food items as palliatives for the vulnerable and down trodden to cushion the suffering posed by Covid 19 lockdown, the need to ensure such foodstuffs and items, including those that are perishable are not expired products or have lost quality have been brought to the fore’.

Penpushing further reports that, the Sanitarian noted that, consumption of food items that have been expired or contaminated by rodents (like the black rats) at storage can give rise to bacterial food poisoning and Lassa fever epidemics.

The public health expert, harped on quality as key and essential, stating that unwholesome foods, groceries, expired, rusting and dented canned foods may inadvertently be donated, supplied or brought, at the risk of contracting bacterial and chemical food poisoning by innocent consumers.

‘In order not to put beneficiaries of stimulus palliatives at risk, placement of food stuffs on pallet or platform and early distribution (to targets or beneficiaries) are germaine’, Akintunde emphasised.

Penpushing also reports that, he counseled beneficiaries to ensure consumption of the foods or items within a reasonable period and before the expiry date, and equally cautioned members of the public against adulterated and expired hand sanitizers and pro-life kits, and advised them to ascertain from the label, the expiry date of such safety device before applying them.

The health expert enjoined National Agency for Food and Drug Administration (NAFDAC) to be proactive and safe lives, with a charged on the public to report fake products to appropriate authorities.

Penpushing reports that, Akintunde noted that aggressive advocacy, political will, inter-sectoral collaboration, media propaganda, and the unwavering synergistic roles of critical stakeholders have been robust in the national and global response to the ravaging pandemic.

The sanitarian opined that the easily transmissible viral infection spreading like wild fire has undermined a supposedly global forum of world leaders that could have facilitated a “declaration” for a synergistic and networking approach in dealing with the seeming incurable disease.

Penpushing reports that, he therefore advocated a UNO or global Agency initiated on-line conference of world leaders and stakeholders like WHO, either at continental or group level for a global, yet co-ordinated and sustainable action against the scourge that has proved to be world’s most troubled and stubborn public health disease