Did you know that through proper handwashing using soap and water, you can save yourselves from COVID-19 by 36%, diarrheal diseases by 30%, acute respiratory infections by 20%, outbreak-related pathogens specifically cholera, Ebola, shigellosis, SARS, and hepatitis E, neglected tropical diseases, healthcare-associated infections, and antimicrobial resistance?
This 15th of October 2021, NNC MIMAROPA is in one with the world as we commemorate the Global Handwashing Day with the theme “Malinis na kamay para sa kinabukasan na bayan”. This worldwide act aims to raise awareness on the significance of proper hand hygiene and its impact to a community-driven action.
Predominantly, did you know the accurate step-by-step of handwashing? Take note of the six easy steps provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as this shall save lives and give impact for the overall disease prevention and control:
- Wet your hands with water.
- Apply enough soap to cover all hand surfaces.
- Rub hands together and to scrub the soap everywhere.
- Wash the front and back of your hands, in between your fingers, and under your nails for at least 20 seconds.
- Rinse hands with water
- Dry hands completely using a single-use towel or air dry.
Should there be no access to soap and water, a hand rub with at least 60% alcohol content may be applied as an alternative.
As COVID-19 pandemic happened, handwashing rates have elevated nationwide and thus need to be sustained and reinforced as it is one of the preventive measures against COVID-19, aside from vaccination. To secure ourselves from coronavirus, immediately wash your hands or apply alcohol-based hand rub after coughing, sneezing or blowing your nose, after being in a public place, and before and after administering to a suspected or confirmed COVID-19 patient.
Additionally, keeping us active and healthy as we executive our daily activities, please be reminded to wash your hands before, during and after food preparation, before and after eating, after using the comfort room, after replacing the diaper or cleaning up a child who used the comfort room, after touching an animal, animal food or waste, and after touching the garbage to get rid of unwanted pathogens.
Regular handwashing devote to improved productivity, dignity, and overall well-being. Through increased investments on proper hand hygiene, building resiliency against occurrence of future outbreaks and pandemics shall be strengthened. Furthermore, strong advocacy on handwashing requirements at home, workplace, healthcare facilities, and private and public commercial settings shall contribute to achieve the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) No. 17 or access to hand hygiene for all. Mga ka-nutrisyon, make handwashing a habit!
Written by: NO I Nichole Kate S. Loyola
References:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021) Handwashing. Accessed from https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/global-covid-19/handwashing.html
Global Handwashing Partnership. (n.d.) Global Handwashing Day 2021 Fact Sheet. Accessed from https://globalhandwashing.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/GHD-2021-Fact-Sheet.pdf
