Nigerian Government seeks private sector involvement in handwashing practices

By Hikmat Bamigboye, Abuja

The Nigerian Government has called on the private sector and other stakeholders to do more to encourage handwashing practice in all public places in the country.

The Minister of Water Resources, Engr. Suleiman Adamu made this call at an event to commemorate the 2022 Global Handwashing Day in Abuja the Nation’s Capital.

Engr Adamu said that for people to be able to practice hand hygiene, they need access to appropriate hygiene facilities that are conveniently located and easy to use.

He noted that people are more likely to wash their hands if they have soap and water present near the hand washing facility.

The Minister also said that handwashing was the first line of defence against diseases, saying there was the need for contingency plans to forestall possible disease outbreaks.

The minister said that the facilities should be made available for the most vulnerable persons, like those living with disabilities, saying this would promote inclusive development.

“We should strive to eliminate existing disparities and inequalities in access as we promote effective handwashing through policy, programmes and advocacy at all levels towards making it a national culture that is imbibed by all. All of us; government, donors, civil society, private sector, media, researchers and community, must commit to playing our part in ensuring that opportunities for handwashing are provided for everyone, everywhere”. Mr Adamu said.

He stressed that behavioural change required that the action is performed consistently at key times, saying strategies that would ensure the sustainability of these practices should be engaged.

He added that the ministry had demonstrated the necessary political will needed to drive a lasting change in the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Sectors (WASH) in Nigeria.

In his goodwill message, WaterAid Nigeria Representative, Mr Emmanuel Iorkunbur, said there was a need for the private sector to make hygiene materials available, affordable and accessible to all including disadvantaged populations.

As a member of the global handwashing partnership, WaterAid Nigeria will continue to collaborate with all stakeholders, especially government at all levels to strengthen systems and build industry partnerships. Together, we must invest in hygiene behavior promotion, citizens must practice hand washing and make it a lifestyle across all states, local governments and rural communities.

UNICEF Representative, Mr Job Omoniyi, said that the theme for the day had shown partners’ coordination through the inauguration of the Hand Hygiene for All Roadmap.

Mr Omoniyi said all stakeholders must urgently play their commensurate roles to make universal access to hand hygiene a reality.

He however said universal embrace and practice of hand hygiene was capable of significantly reducing numerous diseases.

“UNICEF continues to be available and committed to collaborate with other development partners in supporting the FG to realise universal access to hand hygiene’’.

National Coordinator, Organised Private sector in WASH, Dr Nicholas Igwe,, said cholera outbreaks and COVID-19 pandemic had raised the importance of handwashing as an effective way of disease prevention and control.

Mr Igwe said public health was important for the prosperity of the country, adding that the private sector was working to realise this through sanitation.

Global Handwashing Day is celebrated every October 15th to increase awareness and understanding about the importance of handwashing, as an effective and affordable way to prevent diseases and save lives.

The theme of this years Global Hand Washing Day celebration is “Unite for Universal Hand Hygiene” which is a call to action to build on the progress made from previous years by uniting to ensure hand hygiene access and practices for everyone everywhere.