By CrossRiverWatch Admin
The President of Mediatrix Development Foundation and Wife of the Cross River State Governor, Dr Linda Ayade, has flagged off the Clean Hands Campaign in schools across the state.
The flag off of the exercise which commenced 21st November, 2017 at PCN Primary School, Akim Qua Town Calabar, is partnering with the state water board to provide water for schools across the state.
During the flag off, Dr. Linda Ayade advised the pupils to develop the habit of hand washing at least 5 times a day both at home and in school as the State moves to stop diarrhoea and other preventable diseases.
According to her it’s important to inculcate the good habit of proper hand washing at an early age as a simple act of washing your hands with soap can prevent illness by destroying germs and arrest diarrhoea related deaths, which is why we are here today to educate you on clean hand washing.
“Stop defecation and urination in bushes around the school, flies will perch on it and bring it back to your snacks, food and water. We don’t want to lose you to diarrhoea and cholera”.
She tasked the school to make good use of the toilet facilities instead of defecating outside since water is now available to flush toilets and wash hands.
“After washing your hands please don’t clean it on your uniforms, because you will pick new germs, just air-dry it”.
Dr. Ayade used the medium to condemned domestic violence at homes as she identified a child among the pupils who is a victim.
She called on teachers to follow up such cases and report the guardians or the parents to appropriate authorities or to her office for further action.
Speaking earlier, the Managing Director of Cross River State Waterboard Limited, Dr. Godwin Igile, who is a chief partner in the project, promised to ensure that schools in urban and rural areas receive water as soon as possible under the MDF clean hands project.
Commissioner for Health, Dr. Inyang Asibong, said hand washing is the most cost effective way of preventing diseases.
“So if young children are thought how to wash their hands and water provided as has been done today, the will stay healthy.”
Also Speaking, DG Primary Healthcare, Dr. Betta Edu said with the simple act of regular hand washing with soap and water, the death of 21 under five children every minute and 29,000 daily due to diarrhoea, dysentery, cholera and other infections such as pneumonia as well as many other diseases could be prevented.
“What the first lady has done today is beyond providing water and tap, it is live saving and we thank her for this. It will change their behaviour towards hand washing, reduce the socioeconomic burden of disease and reduce absenteeism of children from school due to illnesses.”
Country Director of United Purpose, Mr Tim Connell added that “it is very vital to engaged with pupils and teach them how to wash their hands in critical times like this so we can reduce disease burden. Dr Ayade has taken the right step.”
The Commissioner for Water Resources, Mr. Gabe Odu Oji and Director General of RUWATSSA, Mr. Ita Ikpeme all assured the pupils of water supply that will sustain the hand washing campaign in the schools across the State.
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