Effective hand washing techniques have been urged by the federal government to stop the spread of illnesses throughout the nation. The call was made on Tuesday at the Garki International Market in Abuja in honour of the 2024 Global Hand Washing Day by Dr. Iziaq Salako, Minister of State for Environment.
Global Hand Washing Day, according to Salako, aims to raise knowledge and comprehension of the value of washing hands with soap under running water as a practical and reasonably priced method of illness prevention. The Covid-19 epidemic serves as a crucial reminder that practicing good hand hygiene, particularly by washing your hands with soap with running water, is one of the easiest and most efficient strategies to prevent the spread of viruses.
“It also serves as a reminder that we must maintain the momentum we are currently experiencing in order to make hand hygiene a cornerstone of public health interventions and daily life.”
According to the minister, among other things, keeping hands clean is still crucial for halting the spread of contagious diseases, lowering the risk of hospital-acquired infections, and preserving personal hygiene even in public places. “Effective handwashing not only lowers the risk of disease, but it also lowers absenteeism rates in the workplace and marketplace.” The 2024 Global Hand Washing Day is observed on October 15 of each year, according to Salako.
“Why Are Clean Hands Still Important?” this year’s topic highlights the importance of hand hygiene in preventing illnesses, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic,” he stated. The goal of the 2024 Hand Washing Day, according to Ms. Evelyn Mere, Country Director of WaterAid Nigeria, is to encourage people to wash their hands with soap and water as a simple, practical, and cost-effective method of preventing illnesses and saving lives. The topic, according to Mere, who was represented by Mrs.
Theodora Igboaruka, Policy and Advocacy Manager, WaterAid, called for everyone to take responsibility for protecting public health, stopping illnesses and their spread, and fostering wellness. “To guarantee that everyone can practise hand washing everywhere, we must take decisive action.
“To encourage individuals to wash their hands as often as feasible, we need to reconsider the behavioural change strategies we use. “Hygiene facilities alone are insufficient if the necessary education is not provided to help people go from awareness to action,” she stated. The national director gave the assurance that WaterAid would keep working with all parties involved, particularly the government at all levels, to improve systems so that everyone could access proper hygiene.
According to Mrs. Felicia Sani, National President, Market Men, Women Association of Nigeria, hand washing reduces the spread of disease, particularly when market workers handle cash.
