FG Marks Handwashing Day With Public Health Campaign

The Federal Ministry of Environment has held an awareness campaign to highlight the continued importance of hand hygiene in preventing disease.

The event, themed “Why Are Clean Hands Still Important?”, featured a roadshow from the FMEnv office to Garki International Market, aimed at reinforcing the critical role of handwashing in public health.

Senior special assistant to the minister on community development, Mrs. Chioma Nweze, emphasised the community’s role in promoting hand hygiene. She noted how the COVID-19 pandemic underscored the importance of personal hygiene, particularly handwashing, as a simple yet effective tool in preventing illness and maintaining a healthy society.

Representing the Federal Ministry of Education, Mr Iluromi Emmanuel Olusegun harped on the importance of introducing handwashing practices in schools. He encouraged efforts to engage children in hygiene initiatives, ensuring that proper habits are instilled early on.
He praised the ministry’s advocacy efforts and called for sustained hygiene education in schools.

Policy advocacy manager at WaterAid Nigeria, Mrs Theodore Igboamaka, commended the ministry’s efforts. Representing the country director, she reaffirmed the crucial role of handwashing in promoting public health and hygiene.

President general of the Market Women Association of Nigeria, Mrs. Felicia Sani highlighted the importance of domestic education on hygiene, urging parents to teach handwashing practices at home. According to Mrs Sani, instilling these habits in families can significantly improve national health outcomes.

Minister of State for Environment, Dr Iziaq Adekunle Salako described handwashing as more than just a routine but a lifesaving procedure that can drastically improve health outcomes. He called for the establishment of national standards to ensure consistent practice.