By Veronica Dariya
The FCT Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA), alongside WaterAid Nigeria, on Friday tasked members of Dutse-Makaranta community in Bwari Area Council on proper hand washing and hygiene practices.
The organisations, reiterated the need for the practice, while commemorating the Global World Handwashing Day, celebrated annually on October 15.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that the event was also organised in collaboration with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints , Bwari Area Council, FCT Primary Health Care Board among others.
In his address, Mr Luke Ulom, Acting Executive Director, RUWASSA, said that the act of Handwashing could never be overemphasized, especially with increasing cases of infectious diseases.
He said that the 2024 theme, ” Why are clean Hands still important”, tends to remind the world that, inspite of all efforts, hand hygiene remained one of the most effective tool that protects people from illnesses.
” Handwashing with soap is a life saving habit that must be inculcated in us, by us; according to health experts, it protects us from transmission of diseases such as diarrhoea and respiratory infections.
” Diseases like cholera constitute serious health challenges, particularly in vulnerable communities, especially due to poor hygiene practices and so, handwashing can be a powerful defense.”
Ulom also said that, although handwashing was a simple yet, crucial practice, it must not be allowed to either fade away or be practiced only during emergency pandemics like the COVID-19 era.
He noted that, while the practice aided and curbed the spread of the virus, it was certain that it was a vital tool and remains as important now , as it was then.
He urged all steakeholders, from parents to community leaders, organisations and all, to encourage and improve on the practice, by providing handwashing facilities in schools and public places, so that it gives a lasting impact.
In her remarks, Ms Evelyn Mere, Country Director, WaterAid Nigeria, also said that the commemoration of the event, provides an opportunity to create more awareness on how essential hand washing is.
Mere, who was represented by Mrs Patience Emmanuel, WASH Manager, WaterAid, stated that the event provided an opportunity for stakeholders to advocate, prioritise and promote handwashing, as an easy and affordable disease prevention strategy.
She said: “As a country, we have made some progress in promoting handwashing among citizens since the COVID-19 pandemic.
” However, while according to WASHNORMS 2021, 99 percent of heads of households have knowledge of atleast, two critical times for handwashing, only 8 percent could demonstrate proper handwashing.
” This wide disparity between knowledge and practice is a challenge we must work together to address.
” Also, the recent outbreak of cholera in several communities in the country is a reminder of how important handwashing with soap and water is and therefore, making this year’s theme very relevant.”
She explained that the answer to the 2024 Global Handwashing Day theme lies in the collective responsibility of all and sundry to safeguard public health, prevent spread of infections, while promoting wellbeing.
Mere also urged relevant stakeholders on the need to appraise the status of the National Hand Hygiene Roadmap for possible review and costing, since its launch in September 2022.
This, she explained, was inorder to meet its 2025 target, while noting that WaterAid was already collaborating with UNICEF and the World Health Organisation (WHO) to facilitate its implementation.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that nursing mothers, health workers, staff of various partner organisation as well as residents of the area present at the event, were shown proper ways to wash the hands.
NAN also reports that Global Handwashing Day is commemorated annually, to advocate for handwashing with soap as an easy, effective, and affordable way to prevent diseases and save lives. (NAN)