The Federal Government has emphasized the importance of effective hand washing practices to help curtail the spread of diseases in the country. Dr. Iziaq Salako, Minister of State for Environment, made this call on Tuesday during the commemoration of the 2024 Global Hand Washing Day at the Garki International Market in Abuja.
Dr. Salako noted that Global Hand Washing Day is dedicated to raising awareness about the significance of hand washing with soap under running water as an effective and affordable means to prevent diseases.
“The COVID-19 pandemic provides an important reminder that one of the most effective ways to stop the spread of a virus is also one of the simplest—hand hygiene—especially through hand washing with soap under running water,” he stated. He emphasized the need to build on the current momentum to ensure hand hygiene becomes a mainstay in public health interventions and everyday life.
The minister highlighted that clean hands play a crucial role in preventing the spread of infectious diseases, reducing the risk of hospital-acquired infections, and maintaining personal hygiene even in bustling marketplaces. He added, “Beyond the benefits of disease reduction, effective handwashing also reduces rates of absenteeism in workplaces, including marketplaces.”
This year’s theme for the 2024 Global Hand Washing Day, “Why Are Clean Hands Still Important?” underscores the critical role of hand hygiene in preventing infections, especially in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ms. Evelyn Mere, Country Director of WaterAid Nigeria, also spoke at the event, stating that this year’s hand washing day aims to promote hand washing with soap and water as an easy, effective, and affordable way to prevent diseases and save lives.