…Focuses on improving hand hygiene in rural areas
By Nkechi Eze
As part of commemorating celebration of Global Handwashing Day, Self Help Africa (SHA) an international development organization has launched its 2024 Global Handwashing Campaign in Abuja, Nigeria. The campaign aims at engaging the country’s youth to lead the charge on the vital importance of water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) practices.
SHA has been at the forefront in advancing Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) programs in Nigeria, empowering communities to adopt improved sanitation and hygiene practices to reduce water-borne diseases, improve livelihoods, food security and resilience to climate change.
With 63% of the nation’s population made of youth, Self Africa Help aims to inspire lasting behavioral change around hand hygiene in the country.
At the campaign launch in Abuja, SHA’s Country Director, Joy Aderele, emphasized the significance of the campaign, and also extended gratitude to key government stakeholders which includes Minister of State for Water Resources and Sanitation, Barr. Muhammad Goronyo, represented by Mr. Babarinde Segun Mukaila, Director of Water Supply and support services, at the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, the Honourable Minister of Youth Development, Engr. Ayodele Olawande, represented by Dr. Azeezat Tishawu, Special assistant on Project and Strategy, and NYSC Director General Brigadier General Yusha’u Dogara Ahmed, represented by Mrs. Funmilayo Ajayi, deputy director community development service and special projects department, for their collaborations.
While urging Nigerians to support the campaign to foster healthier communities, Aderele reiterated that “Hand hygiene was essential yesterday, remains essential today, and will be critical tomorrow”.
She pointed out that it is hard to forget anything about the Covid-19 pandemic.
“The death tolls, lockdown, social distancing, isolation. We also remember how handwashing became popular as a non-negotiable strategy for preventing the spread of the virus.”
“But while the pandemic is way past its peak, handwashing with soap is still as important as ever before.
“For additional context, according to National Center for Preparedness, Detection, and Control of Infectious Diseases (NCPDCID) and National Center for Zoonotic, Vector-Borne, and Enteric Diseases (NCZVED), 80% of germs are transmitted by unclean hands touching contaminated surfaces.
“This ongoing fight against infectious diseases has re-emphasized the importance of hand hygiene. This is what Global Handwashing Day is about.”
She also explained that the Global Handwashing Day (GHD) is an annual event celebrated on 15th October to highlight the importance of hand hygiene as a simple, effective, and affordable measure to prevent the spread of diseases and save lives.
“For five consecutive years, Self Help Africa has collaborated with public and private sector players to hold Nigeria’s longest and largest one month outreach.
“The campaign has focused on increasing awareness and understanding about the importance of handwashing with soap as an easy, effective, and affordable way to prevent diseases and save lives. From 2014 to 2019, the campaign reached over 10million people in Nigeria and globally.”
“Nigeria carries one of the heaviest burdens of child deaths from diseases caused by inadequate WASH, such as diarrhea and respiratory infections diseases.”
“Reports from the 2021 Water, Sanitation and Hygiene National Outcome Routine Mapping (WASH NORM) shows that less than one-third of the population practices proper handwashing techniques with soap, this practice alone, when done consistently, can reduce diarrhea cases by up to 30% and respiratory infections by 21%, making it one of the most effective ways to prevent these deadly diseases. This makes the need for awareness critical.
“For the Global Handwashing Campaign this year, SHA in Nigeria is focusing on youth inclusion in promoting hand hygiene in grassroots communities across the country.”
“Nigeria has one of the largest youth populations in the world, with 63% of the population under the age of 25. This demographic, while also vulnerable to hygiene-related problems, represents a significant opportunity as advocates of change.”
“This is why we will be engaging Nigerian youths, particularly through the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme which gathers thousands of young people from across the country,” she said.
With SHA and NYSC’s backing, young Nigerians are stepping forward as advocates for WASH, creating momentum across communities. The digital campaign launch included an Instagram Live session featuring Aproko Doctor, a well-known health influencer, and SHA’s Head of WASH Programs, Shadrack Shaaperaga Guusu, which saw over 3,000 young Nigerians actively discussing hand hygiene and its importance.
In the weeks ahead, SHA will host a WASH Hackathon and a WASH-themed music festival at an NYSC camp, where popular Nigerian artists and celebrity ambassadors will amplify handwashing awareness.
“The events will showcase affordable, innovative solutions created by young Nigerians to promote sustainable WASH practices nationwide.
“Nigeria youth are powerful agents of change,”Aderele emphasized. “By mobilizing them, we aim to inspire a grassroots culture of hand hygiene that aligns with the National Youth WASH Strategy.”
The Federal Government on its part, renewed its vow to revamp the country’s Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) sector, focusing on resolving the persistent hand hygiene issues, especially in rural and remote areas. This commitment was made by Babarinde Segun Mukaila, Director of Water Supply and support services, at the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation.
Babarinde, representing the Minister of State, Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, Bello Muhammad Goronyo, highlighted the vital importance of Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) in Nigeria’s development. He stressed the crucial role WASH plays in preventing diseases, reducing poverty, and driving economic growth, which ultimately contributes to the country’s broader development objectives.
“WASH underpins much of our development objectives, including improved health outcomes, reduced poverty, and economic growth,” he stated.
“The YouthWash programme launched in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports Development, anchored through the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), is part of our commitment to driving WASH improvements from a multi-sectoral perspective”
“This programme aims to mobilize young people as change agents and ambassadors for optimal WASH practices.” He said
Babarinde further stated that, the Clean Nigeria: Use the Toilet Campaign seeks to encourage behavioral change by putting an end to open defecation by 2025, noting that hand hygiene plays an integral role in a bid to achieve this milestone.
“Government prioritizes WASH initiatives, focusing on technical innovation, strategic partnerships, and policy implementation. The ministry is committed to improving WASH outcomes across Nigeria, ensuring the widespread adoption and implementation of the National YouthWASH Strategy.
“We are focusing on long-term, sustainable solutions that not only deliver infrastructure but also foster a culture of hygiene, especially in rural and hard-to-reach areas.”
Babarinde commended Self Help Africa and other stakeholders for their dedication to the cause. According to him, the organization’s support has been instrumental in promoting WASH best practices and advocating for policy changes.
Similarly, Dr. Chidera Chukwu, the Health Adviser, Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), decried that Nigeria is facing a critical issue, despite 99% of household heads being aware of proper handwashing techniques.
While quoting the 2021 WASHNORM data, he said, there is a staggering gap between knowledge and practice, with only 8% actually practicing proper hand washing.
“This discrepancy underscores the need for a mobile hand washing campaign to bridge the gap. The campaign serves as a call to action, urging youths to become hygiene champions and advocate for sustainable health practices.”
“This includes NYSC members, who can aid in playing a pivotal role in promoting proper handwashing techniques.
“By empowering youths, the campaign aims to create a ripple effect that inspires communities to adopt better hygiene practices.”
“The Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has expressed its support for the Nigerian government’s efforts to build resilient systems through youth leadership and community involvement.
“The FCDO is excited to see the WASH Systems for Health program, funded by FCDO, operationalize the National Youth strategy. This program has the potential to yield significant positive outcomes.”
Chukwu also noted that effective handwashing practices are crucial in preventing the spread of diseases, stressing that by promoting proper handwashing techniques, the campaign can contribute to a reduction in water-borne illnesses and other infectious diseases.
