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Students posing for a photograph during a programme to observe ‘Global Hand Washing Day’ on Oct. 15.[/caption]
Dimapur, Oct. 16 (EMN): If cleanliness is next to godliness, then small matters like washing of hands does matter; and thus, there is this day called the ‘global hand-washing day’ which was also observed in the state on Oct. 15 which was observed by the PHED (Public Health Engineering Department) and the people sensitised on the importance of keeping the hands clean.
The global hand-washing day is an annual worldwide advocacy day dedicated to increasing awareness and understanding about the importance of hand-washing with soap as an easy, effective, and affordable way to prevent diseases and save lives.
The first global hand-washing day was held in 2008, when over 120 million children around the world washed their hands with soap in more than 70 countries. Since 2008, community and national leaders have projected the day as a means to spread the word about hand-washing, build sinks and tippy taps, and demonstrate the simplicity and value of clean hands. Each year, over 200 million people are involved in celebrations in over 100 countries around the world.
In the state capital Kohima, Public Health Engineering Department (U) observed the day. The HRD Consultant of WSSO (Water and Sanitation Support Organization),Thenusuo Sekhose, while speaking on the occasion said that it is the bounden duty of the community to ensure the operation and maintenance, continuous usage of toilets and practice of self hygiene behaviour.
She said that access to sanitation has grown enormously, especially after the SBM (Swachh Bharat Mission) programme in the nation, has enormously grown from 39% to 93%.
On Nagaland being declared as an open defecation free (ODF) state on Oct 2, Sekhose said the attention is now moving to sustainability initiatives for IEC, capacity building and Swachhagrahis (foot soldiers).
She also emphasised on the roles of Swachhagrahis and WATSAN committee members towards sustaining the ODF status, reinforce improved behaviours through door to door communication, menstrual hygiene management, support ODF verification and also create awareness of operation and maintenance of toilets.
Tuensang
The District Water and Sanitation Mission, PHED Tuensang Division observed the day government higher secondary school Tuensang on the theme ‘Clean Hands- a recipe for health’.
Junior engineer, Khaoshai Lam, while speaking at the programme, said that nutritional diet and hygiene go hand in hand. He said that washing hands with soap is important for food safe, prevention of diseases, and child growth.
Saying that the mortality rate of infant is 1.8 million due to diarrhoea and 1.5 due to pneumonia, Lam said that hand washing with soap can save millions of life in developing countries.
He further appealed to students to be the Agent of change and spread awareness amongst us to bring change and development in community health and hygiene. At the programme, IEC Consultant DWSM, PHED Tuensang Division, Ashale Seb, demonstrated the ways of proper hand washing with soap.
A brief note on health and hygiene was delivered by PGT GHSS Thangjam, Anban Konyak, while JE, PHED Tuensang Er. Shede Swuro chaired the program and vote of thanks was proposed by JE, PHED Tuensang Er. S. Akanjongshi Chang. The program was attended by students and teachers of Govt. Higher Secondary School Thangjam Tuensang.
In Longleng, the programme was observed at Good Shepherd School, Longleng where the consultant of Sanitation and Hygiene Consultant, Akala Jamir spoke on cleanliness of hands, body and surrounding to do away way various types of infection and diseases.
Highlighting on the importance of hand washing with soap she said hand washing with soap is the best way to fight germs and control infection of diseases. She urged the students to start inculcating the good habits of proper hand washing with soap and disseminate the message of its importance back to their families, friends and community. Later she also gave demonstration on proper hand washing method.
