UNICEF Encourages Constant Hand Washing, Says It Can Prevent Certain Illnesses

The United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) says constant washing of hands can prevent certain illness in human life.

A UNICEF Programme Officer, Mrs Ngozi Dike stated this during a sensitisation campaign of the National Orientation Agency (NOA) in collaboration with UNICEF during the August meeting of Okigwe Town Development Union, Women Wing held at Community Secondary School, Amanno in Okigwe Logal Government Area.

She said that frequent washing of ones hands and observing key family essential practices could prevent certain illnesses such as cholera, diarrhoea, dysentery and advised the women to always wash their hands after defecation, touching dirty objects and shaking of people’s hands.

She also advised the pregnant women to ensure they attend antenatal clinics regularly to be immunised against pregnancy related issues such as convulsion as well as immunise their children against childhood diseases.

Dike equally urged the women not to cut or mutilate the female children genitals saying it poses a lot of danger to them especially when they want to marry or are giving birth.

Also speaking, NOA/UNICEF Desk Officer in Imo Mr Chigozie Ojiaku, harped on the need for people to continue to observe the COVID-19 protocols to stay safe from the deadly Delta variant of the virus.

He said the protocols include regular washing of hands, applying alcohol based sanitizer on the hands, social distancing and ensuring they are all immunised against the deadly virus.

Ojiaku said NOA and UNICEF have been involved in spreading the message of social awareness of COVID-19 and its attendant prevention methods for the people to be safe.

He also emphasised on the need for the women not to engage in cutting or mutilating their girl children stating the different disadvantages of the practice.

The duo of NOA and UNICEF also visited Obosima with similar message of COVID-19 immunisation and FGM where the women were engaged in their August Meeting at Obosima Community Primary School, Oruba in Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area.

Mrs Chidinma Enwerem, President Okigwe Town Development Union, Women Wing and Mrs Elizabeth Anumudu, President General Obiwuruotu Home/Abroad Women Association, Obosima commended NOA and UNICEF for the awareness programme.

They asked question about FGM and vaccination against the COVID-19 virus and promised to ensure they take the COVID-19 Vaccine and stop the genital mutilation of their girl children.

…CCA