Handwashing has reduced diarrhea, acute respiratory infections by 30 and 20%-La Nkwantanang Municipal Director

The Municipal Director of Education for La Nkwantanang, Mr. Kean Adjei Appiah has revealed that diseases such as cholera and respiratory infections have been reduced by 30% and 20% respectively through handwashing.

He made the disclosure today, October 13, 2022, at a short event organized at the Ayi Mensah Basic School to commemorate this year's Global Hand Washing Day.

According to him, Global Hand Washing Day is a global advocacy day dedicated to increasing awareness about the importance of hand hygiene and triggering lasting change from the policy level to community-driven action.

Themed "Unite For Universal Hand Hygiene", he said the day is dedicated to increasing awareness and understanding about the importance of hand washing with soap as an effective and affordable way to prevent diseases and save lives.

"As children, hand washing activities have enormous benefits to our health. It was established by health authorities that diligent washing of hands with soap under running water reduces diarrhea diseases by 30%, reduces acute respiratory infections by up to 20%, and reduces transmission of outbreak-related pathogens such as cholera, Ebola, SARS, and covid-19", he noted.

He said hand washing further contributes to improved well-being, dignity, educational fulfillment, and productivity. Mr. Kean Adjei Appiah also added that hand washing reduces absenteeism among school children as it has the potential to keep them healthy throughout the term and prevent them from missing interesting activities and lessons.

"As children, we are expected to wash our hands in some critical times in the day; before, during and after preparing food, before and after eating, before and after caring for a sick person, after play and after using the washroom", he observed.

He said this year's theme calls for governments, donors, businesses, institutions, researchers, and advocates to unite in action to achieve the goal of hand hygiene equity.

He appealed for extra bins to enable the school authority to incalcate the practice of waste material segregation among children both at the school and in public places.

Report by Prosper Kwaku Selassy Agbitor