Obaseki Tasks Stakeholders To Sustain Awareness On Good Hand Hygiene Practices
The Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki has urged stakeholders, including individuals, civil society, the organised private sector and development agencies, to support government in sustaining awareness on the importance of good hand hygiene practices to reduce the risk of transmission of deadly diseases such as coronavirus (COVID-19), cholera and typhoid.
The governor made the call in commemoration of the World Hand Hygiene Day marked on May 5, each year, by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
Obaseki noted that “sustaining public awareness campaigns on regular and good hand hygiene practices has an immense role in reducing the transmission of infectious diseases such as COVID-19, cholera, typhoid and improving the people’s general wellbeing.”
He said: “On this day, it is imperative to stress the need for individuals, governments, civil society, organised private sector, donor agencies and trade groups, to work together in building sustainable culture on regular hand hygiene to curb the spread of coronavirus and other deadly diseases.
“When such campaigns are amplified, people will be better equipped to live healthier lives. It will also serve as prevention against disease outbreaks. There is a need for continued education so that more people can imbibe the culture of regular handwashing.”
The governor said the theme for the 2021 celebration, ‘Seconds save lives – clean your hands’ is apt, adding that “it was necessary for stakeholders to support governments across all levels to sensitize members of the public on the need for regular hand hygiene practices in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and other disease outbreaks in future.”
According to him, the state government will continue to collaborate with partners such as the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) to deepen the impact of projects executed through the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) programme for the benefit of more Edo residents.
“As part of the state government’s approach to sustain good hand hygiene practices, we will continue to insist on provision of clean water and handwashing facilities in public spaces such as government buildings, schools, markets, health centres, eateries, hotels, parks, which will encourage people to imbibe the culture of hand hygiene to keep us all safe,” he reassured.
