The Federal Capital Territory Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASSA), in collaboration with WaterAid Nigeria, has intensified efforts to promote proper handwashing and hygiene practices in Dutse-Makaranta, Bwari Area Council. This initiative was in celebration of the Global Handwashing Day, marked annually on October 15.
The event, aimed at raising awareness of the importance of handwashing, was organized in partnership with key stakeholders, including the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Bwari Area Council, FCT Primary Health Care Board, and others.
In his address, the Acting Executive Director of RUWASSA, Luke Ulom, stressed the urgency of reinforcing hygiene practices, particularly handwashing, to combat the growing threat of infectious diseases. He highlighted the theme for 2024, “Why are clean hands still important?”, as a reminder that despite ongoing efforts, hand hygiene remains one of the most effective defenses against illness.
“Handwashing with soap is not just a routine; it is a life-saving habit,” Ulom stated. “It protects us from diseases such as diarrhoea, respiratory infections, and cholera, which continue to pose significant health challenges, especially in vulnerable communities with poor hygiene practices. Handwashing can be our most powerful defense against these diseases.”
He further emphasized that handwashing should not be limited to times of crisis, such as during the COVID-19 pandemic, but should be a habitual practice. “The role of handwashing in curbing the spread of COVID-19 was undeniable. But beyond that, we must maintain this essential habit to prevent the spread of other infections.”
Ulom called on various stakeholders, including parents, community leaders, and organizations, to continue promoting handwashing by ensuring that adequate facilities are provided in schools and public spaces. “By making handwashing facilities accessible, especially in schools and community centers, we ensure a lasting impact that can significantly reduce disease transmission.”
Evelyn Mere, the Country Director of WaterAid Nigeria, represented by Patience Emmanuel, WASH Manager at WaterAid, reiterated the importance of the event in raising awareness about the critical role of hand hygiene. Mere noted that while the country had made some progress in promoting handwashing since the pandemic, there remains a significant gap between knowledge and practice.
“According to WASHNORMS 2021, 99 per cent of heads of households know at least two critical times for handwashing, but only 8 per cent demonstrate proper handwashing techniques. This gap between knowledge and actual practice is a challenge we must address collectively. Additionally, the recent cholera outbreaks across various communities in Nigeria underscore the need to reinforce handwashing practices with soap and water,” Mere said.
The WaterAid Director also highlighted the need for stakeholders to review the National Hand Hygiene Roadmap, launched in September 2022, to meet its 2025 targets. She called for a collective effort to assess and possibly revise the roadmap to ensure it remains relevant and impactful. Mere revealed that WaterAid, in collaboration with UNICEF and the World Health Organization, is actively working to facilitate the roadmap’s implementation.
Participants at the event, including nursing mothers, health workers, staff from partner organizations, and local residents, were educated on the proper techniques for washing hands. Demonstrations were carried out to show how simple handwashing with soap could prevent the transmission of various diseases.
Global Handwashing Day is an annual event dedicated to raising awareness about the benefits of handwashing with soap as one of the simplest and most effective ways to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. The event also encourages governments, communities, and organizations to prioritize hand hygiene as a crucial public health tool.
