FG Harps On Handwashing To Guard Against Contracting Diseases

The Federal Government has called for more collective action in maintaining regular hand washing habit towards preventing the spread of diseases in the country.

Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, who made the call in Abuja at a media briefing ahead of the 2024 Global Hand Washing Day explained that hand washing with soap remains one of the most effective and affordable ways to prevent diseases like diarrhoea, cholera, typhoid fever, and pneumonia among others.

The Minister who stressed that hand washing has been estimated to reduce cases of deaths from diarrhoea by almost half and deaths from acute respiratory infections by a quarter called for effective awareness on proper hand hygiene.

“Handwashing with soap is not just a hygiene practice but a global health necessity. It is critical to disease prevention and not only helps people improve their health, but also removes barriers to economic opportunity, allows children to learn and grow, and helps strengthen communities” he added.

The Minister also emphasised the role of handwashing in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, SDGs which aims to provide universal access to hygiene services.

“It is considered an affordable, accessible “do-it-yourself” vaccine for sanitation and hygiene-related diseases like diarrhoea, cholera, typhoid fever and pneumonia which are prevalent in our communities” the Minister stated.

Professor Utsev equally stressed the need for greater efforts to ensure that more Nigerians have access to hand washing facilities with soap and water.

“While knowledge of handwashing practices in Nigeria is high at 99 per cent according to the 2021 WASH NORM Report, access to the necessary facilities remains low” Professor Utsev stressed.

Utsev noted that while awareness of proper hand hygiene has grown, particularly following public health crises like the COVID-19 pandemic, continued efforts are needed to promote handwashing beyond emergencies.

Utsev who acknowledged the efforts of partners such as Reckitt, Action Against Hunger, WaterAid, UNICEF, and Sightsavers in promoting hygiene at the national level, urged the media to play a key role in spreading awareness, stating, “Your work can amplify hygiene messages, motivate action from governments and businesses, and inspire individuals to take responsibility.

“I call on all stakeholders to contribute to achieving universal hand hygiene access. Let us strive for a world where every child can grow up with the simple habit of washing their hands with soap, where every healthcare worker has access to hygiene facilities” the Minister emphasized.

The Global Handwashing Day, observed annually on October 15, is a United Nations designated day aimed at raising awareness about the importance of handwashing with soap and this year the theme is : ‘Why are clean hands still important?’.

Highlights of the day include an awareness campaign road walk and symbolic handwashing activities at the Garki ultramodern market.

Georgina Humphrey, Edited By Grace Namiji