Fatshimetrie
In a world where public hygiene is more important than ever, handwashing practices assume critical importance for the health and well-being of all. The Federal Government recently appealed for effective handwashing practices to stem the spread of diseases in the country.
The Minister of Environment, Dr. Iziaq Salako, while commemorating the 2024 Global Handwashing Day at the Garki International Market in Abuja, highlighted the importance of washing hands with soap under running water as an effective and affordable way to prevent diseases.
This International Handwashing Day is aimed at raising awareness and promoting the importance of handwashing to prevent the spread of infections, especially in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. Indeed, clean hands remain a critical element in curbing the spread of infectious diseases, reducing the risk of nosocomial infections and maintaining personal hygiene, even in a market place.
Beyond the disease reduction benefits, effective handwashing also helps reduce absenteeism rates at work, including at market places. Global Handwashing Day is observed annually on 15 October, and this year’s theme “Why are clean hands still important?” highlights the crucial role of hand hygiene in preventing infections.
WaterAid Nigeria Country Director, Ms. Evelyn Mere, noted that Handwashing Day aims to promote handwashing with soap and water as an easy, effective and affordable way to prevent diseases and save lives. She called for collective responsibility to protect public health, prevent infections and their spread, and promote wellbeing for all.
The Market Men and Women Association of Nigeria also highlighted the importance of handwashing, especially when handling money, to limit the spread of diseases. In these times when hygiene is crucial, it is essential that everyone adopts regular handwashing practices to safeguard their health and the health of others.
Ultimately, it is imperative that governments, organizations, communities, and individuals work together to promote and implement effective handwashing practices to prevent disease, reduce the risk of infections, and ensure public health for all. Adopting simple hygiene practices like regular handwashing can have a significant impact on our collective health.