The Minister of Water Resources, Sarah Reng Ochekpe has on Monday 21st October, 2013 while briefing the press on the '2013 Global Hand Washing Day' in Abuja revealed that hand washing during critical times can prevent the transmission of a couple of pathogens which otherwise cause communicable diseases.
The Minister who was represented at the commemorating event by the Director of Irrigation and Drainage, Joe Kwanashie noted from research that children living in households that are exposed to the culture of washing the hand with soap are at less risk of communicable diseases, adding that hand washing is sometimes more effective than any single vaccine.
"Human faeces are the main sources of diarrheal pathogens, but sanitation and the hand washing with soap and water practice provides the necessary protection against faecal contact and stops the transmission of disease agents from hand to mouth; thereby significantly reducing diarrhea and respiratory infections."
Sarah Ochekpe further explained that efforts on the provision of safe drinking water would be meaningless if people do not imbibe the habit and culture of good hygiene including hand washing at critical times. She encouraged all stakeholders to work tirelessly toward achieving the MDGs on sanitation and hygiene.
"We are working with the Global Sanitation Fund (GSF) management and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine to carry out a study which objective is targeted at getting 90% of the population to wash their hands with soap at critical times," she said.
Earlier in his remarks, the Country Representative of WaterAid Nigeria, Michael Ojo said that WaterAid is committed to campaigning on hand washing. Adding, in 2013 WaterAid Nigeria has reached 136 schools on the campaign and has sent messages through the media on the importance of hand washing. He urged the Federal Ministry of Water Resources to strengthen its partnership with UNICEf and WaterAid to sustain the camp, noting it is the most cost effective way of preventing diseases.
Also in his remarks, the representative of UNICEF, Bisi Aderemi reiterated that washing the hands with soap and water will prevent death to children from poor hygiene.
Source: Water Minister stresses hand washing as preventer of diseases transmission (http://fmi.gov.ng/latest/32037/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=water-minister-stresses-hand-washing-as-preventer-of-diseases-transmission)
Federal Ministry of Information (FMI) Nigeria