Healthy Nation: Federal Government Urges Nigerians To Embrace Handwashing Culture

Abuja, Nigeria –  The Federal Government has reiterated the paramount importance of handwashing, emphasising its critical role in public health and global health security.

Speaking at the commemoration of Global Handwashing Day in Abuja on Tuesday, the Minister of State for Environment, Dr. Iziaq Salako, highlighted the devastating impact of preventable diseases, stating that “about 1.8 million children under the age of 5 die each year from diarrheal diseases and pneumonia.”

These diseases, he stressed, are the leading causes of death among young children worldwide.

The Minister emphasised that promoting proper handwashing in Nigeria is a strategic move to bolster the nation’s fight against disease outbreaks and global threats like antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

He lamented the disproportionate impact of these diseases on children and vulnerable populations, attributing this vulnerability to a lack of knowledge and practice surrounding effective handwashing.

To combat this issue, Dr. Salako underscored the importance of raising awareness about the benefits of handwashing.

He noted that the United Nations General Assembly declared October 15th as Global Handwashing Day in 2008 to promote this crucial practice as an easy, effective, and affordable way to prevent disease and save lives.

This year’s theme, “Why Are Clean Hands Still Important?”, serves as a powerful reminder that despite significant progress in promoting handwashing with soap and water, the journey towards widespread adoption is far from over.

Dr. Salako challenged every sector and individual to continue practicing and promoting effective handwashing, reiterating that the benefits are “limitless.”

Beyond its health implications, the Minister emphasized the economic benefits of hand hygiene.  He pointed out that including hand hygiene 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.

He further explained that handwashing contributes to achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals related to water sanitation and hygiene (WASH), nutrition, education, health, and economic growth.

The Minister also highlighted the specific benefits of handwashing in various settings:

Businesses: Effective hand hygiene practices can significantly reduce the spread of infectious diseases, leading to fewer sick days for employees and increased productivity.

Schools and workplaces: Clean hands are crucial in preventing diseases, ensuring consistent attendance, and increasing productivity.

Hospitals: Handwashing is essential in preventing hospital-acquired infections.

Homes: Clean hands help maintain good health by reducing the transmission of germs and lowering the risk of infections like diarrhea, typhoid, and respiratory infections.

It also protects vulnerable family members like newborns, elderly, and immunocompromised individuals who are more susceptible to infections.

Dr. Salako emphasised that handwashing with soap under running water can reduce diarrheal diseases by 30% and respiratory infections by up to 20%.

He also highlighted its effectiveness in preventing the transmission of outbreak-related diseases such as cholera, Lassa fever, Ebola, COVID-19, and monkeypox.

Moreover, handwashing protects against up to 50% of avoidable infections acquired during healthcare and prevents the spread of antimicrobial resistance.

The Minister’s address served as a strong call to action, urging Nigerians to embrace handwashing as a vital component of a healthy lifestyle and a powerful tool in the fight against preventable diseases.1