Diarrhoea the leading killer

Diarrhoea has become the leading killer in Nigeria, accounting for 25.4 percent of all deaths, according to a new study supported by WHO. WHO information officer Austine Oghide told IRIN on Tuesday that the study presented at the weekend by officials at the National Conference on Primary Healthcare, showed diarrhoea claimed more lives in Nigeria than the next major killer, malaria, which accounts for 21.4 percent of deaths. Poor sanitation and the widespread use of impure water were main reasons for the high level of diarrhoea-related deaths, Oghide said. He said the government, in collaboration with the NAFDAC (National Agency of Food and Drug Administration and Control) was trying to "crack down" on the manufacture and distribution of sub-standard bottled water sold as "pure" mineral water. Other major causes of mortality in Nigeria included measles accounting for 8.7 percent of deaths, acute respiratory infections claiming 8 percent and maternal causes at 5.6 percent. Road and work related accidents it said claimed 9.9 percent of deaths. The study recommended improved training for community health workers.