Covid-19 has reawakened Consciousness of Hand Washing-Water Minister

Covid-19 has reawakened Consciousness of Hand Washing-Water Minister

The Honourable Minister of Water Resources, Engr. Suleiman H. Adamu FNSE, FAEng has noted that the outbreak of COVID-19 has reawakened a consciousness of handwashing practices and it is important that we ensure the sustainability of this behaviour, to achieve hand hygiene for all.

The Minister made the statement yesterday, 8th October 2021 in Abuja during the Ministerial Press Briefing to commemorate the year 2021 Global Hand Washing Day with the theme “Our Future is at Hand – Lets’ Move Forward Together”. The theme being a follow up from last year’s theme “Hand Hygiene for all” is focused on ensuring that we maintain the momentum and move forward together towards universal hand hygiene.

In his address, Engr. Adamu stated that Nigeria has commenced the process of the development of a *Hand Hygiene for all Roadmap* earlier this year with the support of UNICEF and WHO. The Roadmap is expected to chart the course of ensuring available and affordable products and services to enable a culture of handwashing with soap for all, especially those in disadvantaged situations. The Roadmap, once finalized, will be integrated into existing strategy documents for implementation.

The Minister emphasized that October 15 of every year is a United Nations designated Day for global advocacy on increasing awareness on the importance of handwashing with soap, which is an effective and affordable way to prevent diseases and save lives. This day is expected to catalyse local, national and global actions and build the culture of hand washing with soap. It is a call to action by all highlighting collective financing, Government leadership, Donor and private sector support and community-level action.

Engr. Adamu outlined the activities to mark this year’s Hand Washing Day as: a month long electronic and social media engagements on Radio, Television and social media platforms, a multi stakeholder session on WASH in Infection Prevention and Control and Pandemic Preparedness in Nigeria hosted by the National Primary Health Care Development Agency will hold on Thursday, 14th October 2021, the main commemoration event on Friday, 15th October, 2021 will be held at Chida Hotel, Jabi. The event will bring together diverse Stakeholders such as Government, CSOs, Development Partners, School Children, Trade Unions, Media and the Private Sector, etc.

Earlier in her welcome address, the Permanent Secretary FMWR Mrs. Didi Esther Walson – Jack mni said that the essence of commemorating global days such as the Global Handwashing Day is to create awareness, advocate for increased collaboration and partnership in the National effort to improve access to handwashing products and services and to mobilize the populace on a sustainable behaviour change path.

Director, Water Quality Control and Sanitation Mr. Emmanuel Awe gave the objectives of 2021 Hand washing Day as to create public awareness on the benefits and cost effectiveness of hand washing with soap at critical times, to mobilise stakeholders (Government, Donors, Private Sector, Advocates, Researchers) support in improving access to handwashing facilities in communities/ schools/health facilities and other public places and to reach as many Nigerians as possible with hygiene messages and improve access to hygiene promotion information.

Kenechukwu Offie (Mrs.)
Director (Press and Public Relations Unit)
9th October, 2021.