Additionally, the foundations gave the school Handwashing water dispensing buckets, towels, hand sanitizers, and hand wash while also showing the pupils how seriously they should consider hygiene.
Dr. Arome Salifu, AYGF's executive director, told the students that the organization's goal is to have the kids participate in this year's Global Handwashing Day under the banner "Clean hands are within reach."
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Salifu, who was represented by the Head of AYGF, Mr. Nelson Egbunu, stated that the goals are to encourage people, especially children, and their caregivers to make hand washing with soap a regular and lifelong habit, as these are essential elements of effective hand hygiene. Salifu also advocated for improved access to clean water and sanitation facilities.
He mentioned that it is estimated that 14 million people, including children, may away each year from diseases that could have been avoided with proper hand washing.
According to estimates, 1.4 million people die annually from diseases like diarrhea, acute respiratory infections (ARIs), soil-transmitted helminths, and undernutrition, including approximately 400,000 children under the age of five.
According to WHO 2023, unsafe hand hygiene alone is to blame for 356,000 ARI fatalities and 394,000 diarrhea-related deaths. 3 out of 4 persons have access to Basic Hygiene Services in 2022. While it is challenging to monitor handwashing behavior, the availability of soap and water at a designated location has been demonstrated to be a reliable proxy indicator.
"Handwashing surveys, which involve in-person inspections of handwashing stations, are becoming more common in households. More than 1 billion people now have access to basic hygiene services, up from 5.0 billion (or '67%') in 2015 to 6 billion (or '75%'). In 2022, 2 billion people would still be in need of basic services, including 653 million without access to any handwashing stations.
"By 2030, the world will have reached a coverage rate of 85%, leaving over 1.4 billion people without access to basic hygiene services. Current worldwide advancement rates will need to triple in order to reach universal coverage by 2030.
U-Save Foundation's Chioma Odogwu, who also spoke, said that the event provides an opportunity to spread awareness and push for better hygiene infrastructure and regulations.
"The program is being established today to promote and encourage good hand hygiene practices, To raise awareness about the crucial part that handwashing with soap plays in preventing the spread of diseases, particularly diarrhea and respiratory infections," added Odogwu.
"To advocate for greater access to clean water and sanitation facilities, as these are crucial elements of successful hand hygiene, and to encourage handwashing as a habit among people, especially children and their caregivers, to make handwashing with soap a regular and lifelong practice.
"Our activities include involving the students in hands-on, interactive activities that encourage handwashing, such as games, competitions, instructional sessions, and handwashing demonstrations; Create teaching materials that are clear and educational that explain the value of handwashing, when and how to wash your hands, and the advantages of good hygiene.
