The Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation and the National Task Group on Sanitation (NTGS), has reaffirmed its dedication to advancing hand hygiene across Nigeria.
The Ministry’s Director of Information and Public Relations, Imuetinyan Funmi in a statement said handwashing is a fundamental component of public health, especially as the nation prepares to observe Global Handwashing Day.
The statement emphasised that ongoing advocacy efforts are crucial in promoting proper handwashing practices to prevent diseases and safeguard the health of Nigerians.
According to the statement, the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr. Prof. Joseph Terlumum Utsev during a press briefing in Abuja on Tuesday underscored the government’s unwavering commitment to promoting handwashing with soap as a vital public health measure.
He described it as an affordable and accessible ‘do-it-yourself vaccine’ that can prevent sanitation and hygiene-related diseases.
Prof. Utsev further highlighted the essential role of hand hygiene in preventing disease outbreaks and mitigating the impacts of future pandemics.
He stressed the need for continuous promotion of these practices, especially in the absence of health emergencies.
The Minister also highlighted the 2024 Global Handwashing Day theme, ‘Why Are Clean Hands Still Important?’ This theme, he noted, serves as a critical reminder that hand hygiene must remain a priority, regardless of current health crises.
He urged Nigerians to view proper handwashing as a simple yet powerful tool in promoting overall well-being and preventing illness.
Furthermore, Prof. Utsev called for the integration of hand hygiene into daily routines, emphasising its significance as a cornerstone of health and disease prevention.
He revealed that the Ministry, in collaboration with the NTGS, has developed an extensive media sensitization campaign in anticipation of the Global Handwashing Day celebration on October 15.
Minister of State, Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, Bello Muhammad Goronyo, echoed these sentiments, stating that Global Handwashing Day aligns with the objectives of Sustainable Development Goal 6, which focuses on promoting awareness of proper handwashing and hygiene practices.
He extended gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for his unwavering support of the Ministry’s initiatives and recognized the contributions of key stakeholders in advancing the Renewed Hope Agenda for the well-being of all Nigerians.
Mrs Elizabeth Ugoh, Director of Water Quality Control and Sanitation at the Ministry, reiterated that the press briefing aimed to convene government officials, stakeholders, development partners, civil society, and the media to emphasise the importance of hand hygiene for global health.
She stressed that the campaign is designed to promote behavioural change, particularly among children, by encouraging regular handwashing as an integral part of both personal and public health.
