MANILA, Philippines - It doesn’t take much or a long time to wash our hands properly. However, handwashing with soap is still a habit many need to develop as a simple yet effective protection against disease.
To raise awareness on the significance of proper handwashing with soap, the Department of Education, United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), Fit for School and the Philippine National Football Team, the Azkals, came together to celebrate this year’s Global Handwashing Day at Sabang Elementary School, Sibonga, Cebu by holding a football clinic and leading the children in the grand handwashing with soap.
Handwashing with soap, considered the simplest intervention, has proven to be the most effective as well in dealing with infections as it interrupts the transmission of diseases from one infected person to another. It should be done especially during the critical moments before and after handling and eating food, after a bathroom break, after cleaning a child’s bottom, and after playing.
The simple act of washing hands with soap at critical moments is an easy and affordable intervention that can reduce the incidence of diarrhea among children under five by almost 50 percent, and cut respiratory infections by as much as 25 percent.
The grand celebration also marked the launch of the essential health care program (EHCP) of the Cebu provincial government through the efforts of Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia.