Agency begins hand washing campaign in Kaduna
By Stella Kabruk
Hygiene
Kaduna, March, 2020 (NAN) Kaduna State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (PHCDA), says it is embarking on personal hygiene and environmental sanitation activities in communities to safeguard public health.
Deputy Director of the Agency, Hamza Ikara, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Kaduna.
Ikara said promoting personal hygiene and environmental sanitation was key to averting diseases.
He said: “Everyday, people come into contact with millions of outside germs and viruses, they can linger on your body and in some cases they may make you sick.
“Personal hygiene practices can help you and the people around you prevent illnesses, they can also help you feel good about your appearance’’.
He noted that awareness creation activities were ongoing in the 23 local government areas of the state, to promote personal hygiene and environmental sanitation among residents to prevent diseases.
“We are embarking on the sensitisation exercise in all the LGAs of the state to prevent spread of diseases such as Lassa fever and other communicable diseases.
“The state has set up emergency operation centre to enhance effective response to emergencies, but we also want to play a role by embarking on massive sensitisation to residents so as to avert outbreak,’’ he said.
According to him, the exercise will also be conducted in schools, Churches, Mosque and other public places, adding that health workers have been deployed to railway, Airport and train station.
He said the exercise focused on promoting hand washing before and after using the toilet, taking meals from uncovered containers and covering ones mouth during cough to avoid spread of disease.
“Washing hands with soap and water is the best way to get rid of germs in most situations. If soap and water are not readily available, you can use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 per cent alcohol.
“Hand washing is one of the best ways to protect yourself and family from getting sick and staying healthy.
“You can help yourself and your loved ones stay healthy by washing your hands often, especially during these key times when you are likely to get and spread germs.
“Wash your hands before during, and after preparing food, before and after caring for someone at home who is sick with vomiting or diarrhea’’.
He also urged residents to regularly wash hands before and after treating a cut or wound.
“You should also wash your hands after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing, after touching an animal, animal feed or animal waste, also wash hands after handling pet food or pet treats.
“Washing your hands is easy, and it’s one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of germs.
“Clean hands can stop germs from spreading from one person to another and throughout an entire community, from your home and workplace to childcare facilities and hospitals’’. (NAN)
KSS/AMM/RSA
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Edited by Abiemwense Moru/Rabiu Sani Ali