Disease Prevention: Government Advocates For Proper Hygiene

The Nigerian government has called on public and the private sector to ensure adequate provision of handwashing facilities within the reach of all citizens.

The Minister of State for Environment Dr Iziaq Salako stated this at the commemoration of the 2023 Global Handwashing Day held in Abuja, the nation’s capital.

The Minister said that addressing sanitation and hygiene challenges in the country is a necessary and worthwhile investment.

“The Global Handwashing Day is also expected to be marked throughout the country, consequently, I have requested the Honourable Commissioner of Environment in the thirty-six (36) States and FCT to commemorate the day and embark on activities aimed at promoting good handwashing practices.” He said.

The Minister said Handwashing with soap under running water is the most cost-effective health intervention compared with others, such as immunization and responding to disease outbreaks.

“A simple act of washing hands with soap under running water can reduce infection by 50% and respiratory disease by 25%.

Research has shown that creating awareness on proper handwashing helps communities to stay healthy by reducing the number of people who get sick with diarrhoea by 23-40%, reducing diarrhoea illness in people with weakened immune systems by 58%, reducing respiratory illnesses, like colds, in the general population by 16-21% and also reduces absenteeism due to gastrointestinal illness in school children by 29-57%.” He explained.

He also stressed that the Federal Ministry of Environment in collaboration with relevant stakeholders across government at all levels, Organised Private Sector, Non-Governmental Organisations, NGOs, Community Based organisation and Developmental partners has taken steps to deliver adequate sanitation and hygiene services to the citizenry.

“These measures include capacity building, provision of handwashing facilities in schools and public places, sensitization, environmental health surveillance of public places, development of sanitation policies, regulatory and legislative frameworks; implementation of relevant programmes/projects, establishment of Sanitation Desks in the 36 state Ministries of environment and FCT, etc.” He said.

According to him, the choice of the Federal Government Boys College Wuye as the venue of this year’s Global Handwashing Day commemoration is quite deliberate.

“As you are all aware, children are enthusiastic and open to new ideas and often act as agents of change, the active participation and involvement of children who are ideally situated at the intersection of the home, school, and community can ensure sustained behavioural change by taking the “handwashing lessons” back into their homes and communities. We, therefore, aim at motivating children to embrace and share proper handwashing practices.” The Minister added.

Representative of the Minister of Education Mrs Hassana Mailafia said the Ministry will not relent in it efforts in collaborating with relevant stakeholders in the educational institutions in spreading awareness and creating conducive environments for proper hand hygiene.

This year’s theme, “Clean Hands Are Within Reach” resonates deeply with the global community encounter with Covid 19 pandemic as we all continue to navigate through the challenges posed by the inability to consciously key into constant hand washing with water and soap.

“Handwashing is a fundamental act of self-care and community wellbeing, a simple act yet powerful gesture that can save lives and prevent the spread of diseases and the cornerstone of our collective efforts to safeguard public health and build resilient societies.” She explained.

Mrs Mailafia, however, reaffirmed the Ministry commitment to promoting accessible, sustainable, and inclusive hand hygiene practices across the country by instilling the habit of regular handwashing.

Principal Federal Government Boy’s College, Wuye. Mr Magaji Zakariah said “protecting our health and the health of others through proper hand washing will help fight off germs from our environment.”

According to him, it is important to know that we can always keep our hands clean by washing with water and soap always after using the rest room, when preparing for food, after playing, before and after eating, after coughing, sneezing or blowing our nose.

“I want to specially welcome the honorable Minister of Environment and also thank him for his commitment every year towards bringing to the students the importance of hand washing and specifically choosing our school, to launch this campaign.

“The choice of FGBC Garki, Abuja, Wuye Campus is an honour to us, and we do not take it for granted, bringing this programme to us has indeed brought clean hands within our reach, which answers to the Theme of this year “Clean Hands are within reach.” Mr Zakariah said.

Representative, Breakthrough ACTION Nigeria, Dr Olayinka Umar-Farouk said handwashing is not just one of the most important things but the simplest thing we can do to stay healthy.

Today, on the occasion of the significant Global Handwashing Day, we are reminded of the remarkable impact that a seemingly simple act like proper handwashing technique can have on public health and overall wellbeing.

In collaboration with the Dettol Nigeria Hygiene Quest programme, we have extended our reach and work towards achieving SDG3, SDG6 and SDG17, positively influencing the lives of 3,966 students, engaging with 2,587 individuals within communities, and equipping 9,974 mothers in healthcare facilities with indispensable knowledge concerning proper handwashing techniques.

It is noteworthy that these figures pertain to the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, alone. These achievements symbolise not just transformed lives but also strengthened communities, and they illuminate the path toward a more sustainable future. “She explained.

Awards were also presented to the three winners from the quiz competition held for students and teachers on the commemoration of the 2023 global hand washing day held on the 12th of October 2023 in Abuja.

 Three schools participated in the quiz competition, and Brethren school Ukako came first, Ecole d’ Excellence schools Ozoro, Abuja came second while Caleb Academy in Koroduma took third position.
This year’s theme, “Clean hands are within reach” calls for strong leadership and collective efforts to close the gaps in access and practice to achieve hand hygiene for all.

Shakirat Sadiq