GLOBAL
HAND WASHING DAY 2015
Source: http://www.csd-i.org
The Global
Hand Washing Day, October 15, is a day set aside annually to promote awareness
on the importance of hand washing with soap/ash - a simple, effective and
affordable way of preventing diseases and saving lives. By so doing, various
infections and diseases, including childhood mortality and the respiratory tract
(influenza or the common cold), can be reduced significantly.
The main
medical purpose of washing hands is to cleanse the hands of pathogens
(including bacteria or viruses) and chemicals which can cause personal harm or
disease. This is especially important for food handlers and it's a big deal for
those who work in the medical field. It is, however, also an important practice
for the general public.
According
to the Center for Disease Control, Hand washing is like a "do-it-yourself"
vaccine which involves five simple and effective steps - Wet, Lather,
Scrub, Rinse, Dry. Regular hand washing, particularly before and after
certain activities, is one of the best ways to remove germs, avoid getting
sick, and prevent the spread of germs to others. It's quick, it's simple, and
it can keep us all from getting sick. Hand washing is a win for everyone,
except the germs.
The driving
theme for Global Hand washing Day is children and schools.
The first
ever Global Hand Washing Day was celebrated in 2008.
The theme
for the year 2015 is "Raise A Hand For Hygiene". This
theme is action-oriented and can be used particularly well for advocacy
purposes. For instance, the act of raising a hand is one of affiliation. You
can and should identify yourself as a hygiene champion. This can help
create a strong social norm of good hygiene in schools, communities, and even
regions. Likewise, when people raise a hand, they can also be counted.
In terms of
hand washing, this is a reminder that it is possible for governments to count
how many people wash their hands and have access to hygiene facilities in
homes, schools, and healthcare facilities. Governments must measure hygiene
indicators to know where resources should be concentrated.
Global Hand
washing Day is a good opportunity to ask governments to fulfill this
important role. We can also raise a hand to draw attention to the need for
change - from parents’ associations raising a hand to ask for a better school
hygiene policy to celebrities raising a hand to ask politicians to fund hygiene
programs.
Effective hand
washing, while cooking, after using the toilet (any type), after gardening,
after attending to patients etc, can save several millions of lives.
Practice
it. Encourage others. Safe a live.
With love,
Dr. 'Lara
