The Minister of State for Environment, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako has advocated for handwashing as a strategic steps to equip the nation in its fight against disease outbreaks as well as curb global threats such as antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
The Minister stated that the ministry will provide the needed facilities and enabling environment to make hand washing at home, work, and in public places available and seamless for Nigerians.
Salako disclosed this at the Commemoration of the Year 2024 Global Hand Washing Day held in Abuja the nation’s capital, with the theme “Why Are Clean Hands Still Important”
According to the Minister, hand hygiene is one of the most effective and simplest ways to stop the spread of the disease and virus.
“Hand hygiene inclusion in government plans and funding not only improves health but also boosts the economy by reducing the burden on health services and promoting high healthcare standards. It also contributes to attaining multiple targets of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), on Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), nutrition, education, health, and economic growth.”
Salako reiterated that the Global Hand Washing Day not only seeks to raise awareness on the importance of effective hand washing but serves as a platform for commitment at global, regional, and national levels.
Speaking further, Salako stated that the ministry, in collaboration with stakeholders cutting across government at all levels, has taken steps to deliver adequate sanitation and hygiene services to the citizenry.
“These measures include capacity building, provision of handwashing facilities in schools, advocacy/sensitization, environmental health surveillance of public places, development of policies, regulatory and legislative frame works, implementation of relevant programmes and projects, establishment of relevant regulatory and enforcement agencies e.t.c.” he explained.
He emphasized on the need for effective collaboration of all stakeholders, this is imperative as every individual, organization, or business has a role to play in promoting hand hygiene.
According to Salako, “About 1.8 million children under the age of 5 die each year from diarrhea diseases and pneumonia, the top two killers of young children around the world. Children and other vulnerable populations are more prone to such diseases because of poor knowledge about the importance and practice of effective hand washing.”
In a good will message, the Country Director, WaterAid Nigeria, Evelyn Mere represented by Mrs Theodora Igboaruka said WaterAid will continue to join forces with all stakeholders, especially government at all levels to strengthen systems and build the necessary partnerships to bring good hygiene within the reach of everyone everywhere.
According to her, there is a need to take concrete action to ensure that everyone everywhere can practice handwashing, We must re-think our behavioural change approaches to nudge people to wash their hands as frequently as possible.”
She stressed the need for sensitization of the citizenry for effective ways to curb disease.
“It is not sufficient to provide hygiene facilities without providing the requisite education that would move people from awareness to action. The gap between knowledge and practice must be closed urgently because the results we want to achieve lie therein.” She added
She concluded by recommending an urgent need to appraise the status of the National Hand Hygiene Roadmap that was launched in September 2022 for possible review and costing.
“This is because there is only one year left for the roadmap target date of 2025. WaterAid is already collaborating with UNICEF and WHO to undertake this activity, which we hope will help chart a way forward in its implementation.”
Similarly, the National Coordinator Organised Private Sector and WASH, Dr. Nicholas Igwe, also stressed that OPWASH is committed to continuing her support for the Federal Ministry of Environment to promote hand hygiene campaigns awareness.
“We have been supporting the FCT with washing facilities worth over 1.2 millon Naira, over the years we have recognized the importance of private sector supporting not only at the Federal level but also at the state level, two weeks ago we have partners with the Ministry of Environment we have created a robust structure in different states.”
National President Market Men, Women Association of Nigeria, Mrs Felicia Sani emphasised the washing of hands, especially when handling money as market people curtail the spread of diseases.
The United Nations General Assembly in 2008 declared 15th October of every year as Global Hand washing Day.
The day is to create and promote awareness and understanding about the importance of hand washing as an easy, effective, and affordable way to prevent diseases and save lives.
Ibrahim Haruna
Head, Press and Public Relations Unit
