MANILA, (PNA) — The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) will launch the “National Handwashing Day” in daycare centers this October 16.
According to DSWD the launching will be in support to the celebration of annual “Global Handwashing Day” (GHD).
“The DSWD recognizes the importance of water, sanitation, and hygiene promotion in early childhood care and development,” DSWD Secretary Corazon J. Soliman said Sunday.
Soliman added that the event will be held in Barangay Socorro Day Care Center, Cubao, Quezon City with 80 daycare students expected to participate.
“We are launching this campaign in daycare centers to support the implementation of Essential Health Care Program (EHCP) of three basic hygiene practices to schoolchildren, namely: hand-washing, toothbrushing, and de-worming,” Soliman explained.
Soliman said that DSWD wants to stress the importance of handwashing with soap among daycare children.
“The simple act of washing hands can prevent diseases like diarrhea and pneumonia, the leading causes of death among children aged 0-5,” she added.
She explained also that children under five (5) years of age, are most vulnerable to diseases such as diarrhea, caused by poor hygiene and unsanitary environment.
“Strong evidence indicates that handwashing with soap is one of the most effective interventions available to reduce the incidence of such disease,” the DSWD chief pointed-out.
GHD celebration is held annually on October 15 since 2008 by the Global Public-Private Partnership for hand washing.
It aims to foster and support a global culture of hand washing with soap, shine a spotlight on the state of hand washing in every country, and raise awareness about the benefits of hand washing with soap.
The DSWD has issued a memorandum to all its Regional Field Offices to celebrate annual GHD in daycare centers to raise public awareness on the importance of proper hygiene and sanitation.