On Thursday Ethiopia observed the second Global Hand-washing Day where over 1.5 million school children across the country washed their hands to observe the day.
The global hand-washing initiative was launched in 2008 by the Global Public-Private Partnership to raise awareness on diseases preventable by hand washing, such as diarrhea.
Accordingly, 1.5 million Ethiopian school children from all regions washed their hands with soap or ash to demonstrate their commitment to their health and the health of others.
According to available information from UNICEF, globally, more than 1.7 million children die every year from diarrheal diseases before the age of five.
“Diarrhea is the second most common cause of death in children, accounting for 18 per cent of all under-five deaths. Hand-washing with soap at critical times including before eating or preparing food and after visiting the toilet can reduce diarrhea rates among children under 5 by up to 50 per cent. Hand washing with soap can also significantly reduce the incidence of pneumonia – globally responsible for an even greater number of child deaths,” said UNICEF.
“Hand-washing with soap – or ash if soap is not available – is the single most cost effective intervention to prevent diarrhea related deaths and diseases – including acute watery diarrhea, which continues to present a specific health risk in Ethiopia since its emergence in 2006.”
While commemorating the day in Addis Ababa, the event brought together stakeholders from the government, public and private sectors ; development partners, the media, and school children to showcase and advocate for this simple and cost effective hygienic practice that potentially can save more lives in Ethiopia than any other intervention.
Source African Press Agency
