HEALTH EXPERTS INSIST ON REGULAR HAND WASHING FOR PREVENTION OF DISEASES

As the world celebrates Global Hand Washing Day, the Chief of UNICEF Enugu Field office, Dr. Abraham Conteh, wants individuals and families to cultivate the habit of washing hands, using clean water with soap or ash for hygiene and good health.

Dr. Conteh said this simple, yet-effective, hygiene practice helps prevent diseases including, cholera and dysentery.

He said UNICEF would continue to collaborate with government and relevant bodies to ensure that people, especially women and children, had access to qualitative health care and embrace hygiene practices.

Also, the Director Environmental Health Services, Enugu State Ministry of Health, Mr. Romanus Ejikeme, emphasized that regular hand washing with soap remained very effective and the least expensive way to prevent diarrhea and acute respiratory infections.

Mr. Ejikeme advised parents to teach their children the need for regular hand washing.

In an interview with Radio Nigeria, two other health enthusiasts, Miss. Ogbenne Ogbuefi and Mr. Mathias Aroh, suggested that schools should go back to the old style of establishing a hand washing stand for children.

Global Hand Washing Day, celebrated on October, 15 annually, is used to motivate and mobilize people around the world to wash their hands with soap as a key approach to disease prevention.

The theme of this year’s event is “Clean Hands a Recipe for Health.”

EMEFIENA OKONKWO AND JULIET UGWU