Handwashing - The Million dollar tool

The socio-economic development of every society, community or a country depends on the human resources. The quality of human resources in most countries today are dependent upon the quality of the environment, basic knowledge and practices about healthy living and finally quality health care. Globally 90% of all reported health cases are environmentally-related (water, sanitation and Hygiene related) with majority of the population living in Africa. Globally, majority of Out Patient Department Health cases are environmentally-related with particular reference to Water, Sanitation and Hygiene. One of the most used part of the human body is the hand, it frequently finds its way into and out the mouth and yet people pay the least attention to keeping the hands clean and safe from disease causing pathogens. Majority of people today are ignorant about hand washing practice especially children and as such are mostly vulnerable to diarrhea disease. The negligence of some parents about hand washing practices has lead to the death of many innocent young children. UNICEF reports that Diarrhoea was responsible for 9% of the deaths of children under the age of five in 2015, killing over 1400 children a day, 526,000 a year.

Diarrhoea remains a leading killer of young children, despite the availability of knowledge and simple preventive measures. Diarrhoea-causing pathogens are transmitted through poor or lack of hand washing after defecation, improper handling of ready-to-eat foods, contaminated drinking water, person-to- person contact and many others, (US Department of Health Services, 1996). Hand washing is an easy and cost effective way for preventing Diarrhoea notwithstanding, people invest the least attention in keeping the hands clean and safe but on the long run pays huge sums of money treating ailments resulting from poor hygienic practices. Conscious effort geared towards raising awareness, promoting, encouraging and teaching individuals how to effectively practice hand washing regularly as and when necessary is a great step to saving lives and promoting healthy living. It must be noted that the low cost and relative effectiveness of hand washing in promoting healthy living is highly dependent on availability of clean water and soap, therefore , parent, institutions, food vendors and all stake holders should prioritize the provision of hand washing facilities (soap and water) at all times in encouraging and promoting healthy living.

It must be emphasized that the provision of hand washing facilities does not guarantee healthy living but effective use of facilities and diligent hand washing practice. Life is precious than a million dollar, a simple act of hand washing can save you from hours and days on the hospital bed, huge sums of money on drugs and above all your precious life. Hand washing is indeed a million dollar tool for quality and healthy living and as we celebrate the global handwashing day today, all classes of people, young and old, rich and poor, literates and illiterates must be thought, encourage to practice and share with others the importance of hand washing to promote healthy living in the society. To learn how to wash your hands effectively, follow the link below

https://web.facebook.com/DeWASHClub/photos/a.1525056267553108/2021613714564025/?type=3&theater

George Acquaah

Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Youth Network