Global Handwashing Day being observed today

KATHMANDU: The Global Handwashing Day is being observed throughout the world, including in Nepal, today by organizing various programs highlighting the importance of hand hygiene to health.

It is an annual global advocacy day dedicated to increasing awareness and understanding about the importance of handwashing with soap as an effective and affordable way to prevent diseases and save lives.

Handwashing with soap and water is one of the simplest, most effective ways to stop the spread of germs and stay healthy.

Keeping hands clean can prevent 1 in 3 diarrheal illnesses and 1 in 5 respiratory infections, such as the common cold or flu.

Global Handwashing Day was founded by the Global Handwashing Partnership, and is an opportunity to design, test, and replicate creative ways to encourage people to wash their hands with soap at critical times.

Recent years have seen a rise in hand hygiene commitment and action. While great strides have been made, the world must triple its current efforts to achieve global hand hygiene targets.

Global Handwashing Day 2023 is themed “Clean hands are within reach”. The campaign says, “Through strong leadership and collective efforts, we can close gaps in access and practice to achieve hand hygiene for all. Everyone has a role to play to ensure clean hands are within reach.”

This Day started to be marked in Nepal on Oct 15, 2008.

Meanwhile, Vice President Ram Sahay Prasad Yadav and Speaker Dev Raj Ghimire have extended their best wishes to all Nepali nationals on the occasion, highlighting the significance of hand hygiene to preventing diseases and keeping oneself healthy.