Nigeria to integrate hand hygiene practices into national development plans
By Tosin Kolade
The Federal Government on Tuesday announced plans to incorporate hand hygiene into Nigeria’s national response and long-term development strategies.
The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, said this during the 2024 Global Handwashing Day event in Abuja, themed ‘Why Are Clean Hands Still Important?’
Utsev was represented by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mr Richard Pheelangwah.
He noted the government’s commitment to embedding handwashing practices into national resilience plans and called on institutional actors to support efforts to scale up hand hygiene initiatives across communities.
The minister emphasised the importance of a multi-faceted approach, including public campaigns, accessible hygiene facilities, regular monitoring, and behavior reinforcement.
He stressed that handwashing facilities should be made available in all households, schools, healthcare facilities, workplaces, and public spaces and must be accessible to people with disabilities to ensure equitable access.
“Nigeria has recently faced a resurgence of cholera outbreaks, exacerbated by inadequate hygiene practices and poor access to safe water and sanitation facilities.
“Cholera, a water-borne disease, thrives in environments where sanitation and hygiene are compromised, leading to widespread illness and fatalities, particularly in underserved communities.
“This underscores the urgent need for a balanced approach that promotes hygiene alongside improvements in water supply and sanitation”.
Utsev added the need for sustained policy advocacy and programme implementation to foster long-term behavior change regarding hand hygiene.
He stressed that continuous efforts from all levels of government and civil society are essential for success.
He reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to advance the Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) sector in Nigeria and pledged to collaborate with stakeholders on the Hand Hygiene for All Roadmap.
He stated that increased awareness would lead to a healthier, more prosperous nation.
Dr Jane Bevan, UNICEF Chief of Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH), raised concerns over Nigeria’s low handwashing rates, with only 17 percent of the population practicing proper handwashing at critical times.
Bevan emphasised the importance of establishing handwashing as a social norm, highlighting its significance in public health.
“We need to move beyond simply expecting everyone to wash their hands and start holding people accountable when they don’t.
“If you see someone eating without washing their hands, call them out, such behavior can lead to illness”.
She urged individuals to become “ambassadors for handwashing,” encouraging others to wash their hands before eating and after using the toilet.
The Director of Water Quality Control at the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, Mrs Elizabeth Ugoh, stated that the event aims to raise awareness about the importance of handwashing with soap as an affordable way to prevent hygiene-related diseases.
She added that the NTGS, under the Ministry’s leadership, actively promotes and advocates for increased hand hygiene practices nationwide.
Dr Edwin Isotu-Edeh, representing the World Health Organisation (WHO), highlighted efforts to combat the cholera outbreak in Lagos, including the installation of handwashing stations and the donation of hygiene materials to 10 healthcare facilities.
He also noted that WHO is implementing Sanitation Safety Plans (SSP) in five states, underscoring the importance of protecting healthcare workers before responding to emergencies.
Isotu-Edeh encouraged Nigerians to make hand hygiene a daily habit for disease prevention, particularly after using the toilet, preparing food, changing diapers, or handling animals, and to promote the practice to others.
Mr Nanpet Chuktu, a representative from WaterAid, emphasised the effectiveness of handwashing with soap and water in preventing diseases and saving lives.
He acknowledged progress made since the COVID-19 pandemic but pointed out a significant gap between awareness and actual practice.
Quoting the 2021 WASHNORMS survey, Chuktu noted that while 99 per cent of households are aware of at least two critical times for handwashing, only 8 per cent practice it correctly.
He stressed that recent cholera outbreaks highlight the continued importance of this year’s theme and called for greater efforts to promote handwashing through behavior change and education.
Chuktu also urged a review of the National Hand Hygiene Roadmap, launched in 2022, as its 2025 target date approaches.
The event featured goodwill messages from development partners, private organisations, and other ministries, as well as a panel discussion, symbolic handwashing activities, and the presentation of recognition awards to development partners.(NAN) www.nannews.ng
Edited by Sadiya Hamza
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