FG Emphasizes Hand Hygiene as Key to Preventing Disease and Enhancing Public Health
Abuja, Nigeria – In a press briefing held on Friday, the Federal Government of Nigeria, represented by the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Bello Goronyo, underscored the significance of hand hygiene in safeguarding public health and preventing diseases. This declaration was made during the announcement of the 2024 Global Handwashing Campaign, organized by Self Help Africa in Abuja.
Director of Water Supply, Babarinde Mukaila, speaking on behalf of Minister Goronyo, explained that water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) play a critical role in disease prevention and broader development goals. According to Mukaila, these goals include improving health outcomes, reducing poverty, and enabling economic growth.
The theme of this year’s campaign, ‘Why are clean hands still important?’ serves as a reminder of the crucial role hand hygiene plays in safeguarding public health. Goronyo noted that the government is committed to strengthening WASH infrastructure and policy implementation. He cited the youth WASH programme, launched in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, as an example of the government’s commitment to driving WASH improvements.
The programme, anchored through the National Youth Service Corps, aims to mobilize young people as change agents and ambassadors, integrating optimal WASH practices into grassroots advocacy. The Clean Nigeria: Use the Toilet campaign, which seeks to end open defecation by 2025, is another key initiative.
Country Director for Self Help Africa, Joy Aderele, highlighted the ongoing fight against infectious diseases, emphasizing the importance of hand hygiene. According to Aderele, handwashing with soap is crucial for preventing the spread of diseases. She also noted that Nigeria bears one of the heaviest burdens of child deaths from diseases caused by inadequate WASH, such as diarrheal diseases.
In conclusion, the Federal Government of Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to enhancing WASH outcomes in the country and ensuring the widespread adoption and implementation of the national youth WASH strategy.
Media Talk Africa will continue to provide updates on this critical issue, emphasizing the importance of hand hygiene and its impact on public health.
By Lara Adejoro
Media Talk Africa
