City spreads the word: clean hands keep germs away

14 October 2016

The City’s Environmental Health Department partnered with Mérieux NutriSciences to conduct an awareness session today at Klipfontein Primary School in Bonteheuwel to encourage learners to wash their hands using soap and water. The Department distributed educational material and gave a hand-washing demonstration to support the theme for Global Hand-washing Day this year: ‘Make Hand-washing a Habit’.

Washing one’s hands is one of the best and most inexpensive ways to prevent the spread of diarrheal diseases and pneumonia. It is vital for child survival as 1,7 million children die each year as a result of diarrhoea and pneumonia – illnesses that are entirely preventable. Having hand-washing stations in schools can both help to reduce absenteeism and enable girls to manage their menstrual cycles safely and with dignity. Getting into the habit of washing hands with soap is not only a preventative solution, it is also very cost-effective.

‘Germs spread diseases, and washing your hands regularly kills these germs. Adopting this simple yet important habit, especially from a young age, can cut deaths from diarrhoeal diseases by almost half and deaths from acute respiratory infections by nearly a quarter,’ said the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Health, Councillor Siyabulela Mamkeli.

Despite the benefits of hand-washing, it is far too often the case that it is not practised. The City’s Environmental Health Department recommends that you always wash your hands:

after using the toilet, changing nappies or cleaning up a child who has used the toilet
after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
after touching animals
after touching refuse
before, during, and after preparing food
before meals
before and after caring for a sick person
before and after treating a cut or wound

"Washing your hands with soap can help save lives and contribute to healthy, prosperous communities in and around our city. I would like to encourage all residents to celebrate Global Hand-washing Day with us by making a habit of washing their hands with soap and encouraging their children to do the same." Siyabulela MamkeliCity Mayoral Committee Member: Health

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