Hand hygiene critical to safeguarding public health – FG

Minister of State for Water Resources and Sanitation(FMWR&S), Dr Bello Goronyo, has urged Nigerians to practice hand hygiene as it  plays a key role in safeguarding public health.

Goronyo made this call in Abuja at a news briefing to commemorate the Global Hand Washing Day Campaign 2024 with the theme: “Why are Hands Still Important.’’

The event was organised by Self Help Africa (SHA), an International Development Organisation, in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Youth Development, FMWR&S, National Youth Service Corp (NYSC), Foreign Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO), among others.

“Wash, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) is not only critical for preventing diseases, it underpins much of our broader development goals, including improving health outcomes, reducing poverty, and enabling economic growth.”

Goronyo, represented by the Director of Water Supply, Mr Babarinde  Mukaila, said that the ministry was committed to strengthening WASH infrastructure and policy implementation.

“The theme for this year’s campaign reminds us of the important role that hand hygiene continues to play in safeguarding public health, especially after we witnessed its power during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The Youth WASH programme, unveiled in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development and anchored through NYSC, exemplifies our commitment to driving WASH improvements from a multi-sectoral perspective.’’

Goronyo said the programme was designed to mobilise young people as change agents and ambassadors, integrating optimal WASH practices into grassroots advocacy while ensuring that solutions reach underserved communities.

“Hand hygiene forms an integral part of this effort, as we seek not just to provide infrastructure but also to encourage behavioural change.’’

He said that by combining infrastructural development with technical training and public engagement, stakeholders could create a WASH ecosystem that was sustainable and inclusive.

“I want to reaffirm the ministry’s commitment to improving WASH outcomes across Nigeria and ensuring the widespread adoption and Implementation of the National Youth WASH Strategy.

“We are focusing on long-term, sustainable solutions that not only deliver infrastructure but also foster a culture of hygiene, especially in rural and hard-to-reach areas,’’ he said.

Country Director of SHA, Ms Joy Aderele, said Nigerian should participate in hand hygiene to prevent spreading diseases.

According to her, in the traditional context, 80 per cent of germs are transmitted by contaminated hands.

“It is hard to forget anything about COVID-19 and how it dealt with us.

“We all remember how hands washing became a norm as a non-negotiable strategy to prevent the spread of the virus; while the pandemic is way past its peak, hand washing with soap is still as important as before.’’

She said that Global Washing Day was an annual event celebrated Oct. 15, to highlight the importance of hand washing and to prevent the spread of diseases and save lives.

According to her, hand washing in Nigeria is very important because Nigeria carries the highest body of child deaths due to diseases caused by inadequate wash such as diarrhea diseases.

“Washing of hands with soap is one of the most effective ways of preventing the spread of various disease,” she said.