By Chuks Oyema-Aziken
The Federal Government on Thursday said the act of handwashing is critical in preventing diseases and saving lives.
Director of Pollution Control and Environmental Health, Federal Ministry of Environment, Mr Olubunmi Olusanya gave the advice at the awareness workshop on the 2023 Global Handwashing Day
The Global Handwashing Day is celebrated annually on Oct. 15 and the theme of this year’s event is “Clean Hands are Within Reach.’’
“We are happy to bring children from selected schools in Abuja to access their knowledge on handwashing to prevent diseases,” Olusanya said.
“Experts are here to teach them techniques on accepted ways of handwashing to prevent diseases.
“The essence of the workshop is for these students to imbibe the correct techniques of handwashing and teach others.
Educating pupils present at the event, Mrs Omolewa Aduke, Deputy Director Sports, Health and Education, Federal Ministry of Environment, urged them to imbibe proper hygiene through washing of hands.
“When you wash your hands you prevent yourself from so many diseases such as cholera, respiratory diseases and diarrhea, handwashing saves lives,’’ she said.
Speaking on the essence of the day, Programme Officer, Breakthrough Action Nigeria, an NGO, Ms Meyiwa Ede, said that handwashing was the simplest thing to practice and remain healthy.
“On this day we want to commit to everyone to regularly washing of hands and teaching others on the importance of washing of hands and doing it well,’’ she said.
She advised that handwashing for 20 seconds with soap and running water was recommended way.
In her remarks, Princess Usung, Programme Nurse/Midwife Wellbeing Foundation Africa, an NGO, urged participants to always imbibe proper hygiene through the washing of hands to prevent diseases.
Brethren School Utako came 1st, Ecole d’ excellence Orozo came 2nd and St. Caleb Academy Koroduma came 3rd in the quiz competition on hygiene and handwashing amongst three schools in the FCT.
The grand celebration for the 2023 Global Handwashing Day comes up on Oct. 16.
