#Lead Poisoning in #Mining Practice Needs Necessary Medical #Care and #Safer Conditions

Nigerian Government Must Ensure Clean Up of Affected Area, Along With Necessary Medical Care and Safer Mining Practices

The Nigerian government must commit significant resources to respond to a lead poisoning epidemic in Zamfara State, which has sickened thousands of children since 2010, the international medical humanitarian organization Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) and other delegates at an international conference on the epidemic said today.

Decision-makers from the Nigerian government and the ministers of mines, environment, and health were not present at the International Lead Poisoning Conference, held May 9–10 in Nigeria’s capital, Abuja. No concrete action by the Nigerian federal government was announced.

“There has been plenty of talk, but now is the time for action,” said Ivan Gayton, MSF country representative in Nigeria. “MSF will consider this conference to be a success when all of the poisoned children are living in a safe environment and receiving treatment.”

Delegates at the conference endorsed an action plan calling for the Nigerian government’s commitment to resolve the crisis, which included three key pillars: medical care; environmental remediation; and safer mining. To succeed, the Nigerian government, in particular the ministries of mines, environment, and health at both the federal and state levels, must commit to significant resources and coordination efforts.

Please read o at:
http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/press/release.cfm?id=6011

Promised funds of 850 million Naira ($5.4 million) for environmental remediation (the removal of contaminants) and safer mining in Zamfara have languished for months, while thousands of children continue to suffer from acute lead poisoning.