By Sani Idris
The Centre for Water and Environment Development (CWED) has sensitised government-owned secondary schools’ students in Kaduna to the importance of hand washing and personal hygiene.
The students are from the GSS Rigachikun, Kakuri as well as GGSS Kabala Costain.
Mrs Doris Zakama, the Programme Manager of the centre, said this in a statement issued on Tuesday in Kaduna.
She said mobilising, and encouraging the students on the importance of hand washing was to commemorate the Global Hand Washing Day held on Oct. 15.
The theme of the year’s celebration is “Clean hands are within reach”.
The Global Hand Washing Day is an annual advocacy day dedicated to increasing awareness and understanding of the importance of handwashing with soap as an easy, effective, and affordable way to prevent diseases and save lives.
Zakama explained that through strong leadership and collective efforts, gaps could be closed in access and practice to achieving hand hygiene for all.
She observed that it was in line with the celebration’s campaign.
“Everyone has a role to play to ensure clean hands are within reach,” she said.
The programme manager therefore, noted that the centre had continuously campaigned for effective handwashing facilities in schools across the state.
She also said that the handwashing day had been an opportunity to design, test, and replicate creative ways to encourage people to wash their hands with soap at critical times.
“The day is designed to foster and support global and local culture of handwashing with soap, shining a spotlight on the state of handwashing around the world and raising awareness about the benefits of handwashing with soap,” she said.
The Centre Programme Manager, encouraged the student to imbibe the culture of washing their hands with soap at critical times, especially before eating, cooking, or feeding others.
She also urged them to be models of good handwashing behavior, and remind or
help others to always wash their hands before eating.
Zakama also urged the public to make handwashing part of their family meals.
“Establish places to wash your hands in the household, in your community, in schools, workplaces, and in health facilities.
“Promote effective handwashing behaviour change in research, policy, programmes and advocacy,” she said.
Exercise books were distributed to the students with needed handwashing messages to help them stay informed about how, when and why they should always wash hands with soap and clean running water. (NAN)
Edited by Idris Abdulrahman
