Save the Children promotes proper hygiene
Published Jan 29, 2020 12:00 am
By Merlina Hernando-Malipot
An international children’s group on Wednesday urged parents and caregivers to strengthen the promotion of hygiene practices to help protect them from respiratory ailments and infections including 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV.)
(PIXABAY / MANILA BULLETIN)
Save the Children said parents and caregivers should “promote hygiene practices including handwashing with soap among children” to protect them from various illnesses.
For Save the Children Philippines (SCP) chief executive officer Atty. Alberto Muyot, children - particularly those under five years-old - are the most vulnerable to diseases because of their weak immune system.
“Every child has the right to have access to safe water supply, adequate sanitation facilities at home, in school, especially in emergency situations like the Taal volcano eruption where children are among the most affected,” said Muyot who is also a former Undersecretary of the Department of Education (DepEd).
Meanwhile, Muyot also raised concern that “thousands of learners miss out on school due to the suspension of classes in selected schools in Metro Manila as preventive move to stop possible spread of coronavirus.”
While there has been no confirmed cases of 2019-nCoV in the Philippines, the new strain continues to become a global concern following thousands confirmed cases in 36 countries that left over 100 people dead.
For SCP Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) advisor Jonathan Valdez, parents and caregivers have “important roles to protect children” from airborne diseases and infections. “Children learn by example, including proper hygiene practice of parents and caregivers,” he said.
Valdez noted that children can learn from parents some hygiene practices to protect themselves such as proper handwashing with soap and clean water; avoid touching eyes, nose or mouth with dirty hands; avoid getting near other child/adult who is sick; and avoid eating raw or undercooked animal products.
Children at play outside, Valdez said, should also learn cough etiquette. “Teach them to cover their mouth and nose with flexed elbow, tissue paper or cloth when coughing or sneezing,” he explained. “When coughing or sneezing to tissue papers, children should throw it into the trash bin and wash hands with soap and clean water immediately,” he added.
Valdez also reminded parents and caregivers to handle and prepare food safely, cook animal products thoroughly. “Parents and caregivers should maintain clean, surfaces and objects particularly for babies prone to putting objects to their mouth,” he said.
The SCP also urged parents and caregivers to seek medical help when their children or they themselves feel sick and do not practice self-medication. “By protecting themselves, parents and caregivers can prevent the spread of airborne diseases at home, thus, setting the first line of defense for their children,” Valdez said.
Valdez also underscored the importance of breastfeeding particularly babies who are two years-old and below to strengthen their immune system.
Save the Children is advocating exclusive breastfeeding to babies from newborn to six months and continuous breastfeeding to babies up to two years old. It also provides access to safe water for drinking and hygiene, toilets and handwashing facilities in schools to ensure children in deprived and hard to reach areas are protected from preventable diseases.
(PIXABAY / MANILA BULLETIN)
Save the Children said parents and caregivers should “promote hygiene practices including handwashing with soap among children” to protect them from various illnesses.
For Save the Children Philippines (SCP) chief executive officer Atty. Alberto Muyot, children - particularly those under five years-old - are the most vulnerable to diseases because of their weak immune system.
“Every child has the right to have access to safe water supply, adequate sanitation facilities at home, in school, especially in emergency situations like the Taal volcano eruption where children are among the most affected,” said Muyot who is also a former Undersecretary of the Department of Education (DepEd).
Meanwhile, Muyot also raised concern that “thousands of learners miss out on school due to the suspension of classes in selected schools in Metro Manila as preventive move to stop possible spread of coronavirus.”
While there has been no confirmed cases of 2019-nCoV in the Philippines, the new strain continues to become a global concern following thousands confirmed cases in 36 countries that left over 100 people dead.
For SCP Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) advisor Jonathan Valdez, parents and caregivers have “important roles to protect children” from airborne diseases and infections. “Children learn by example, including proper hygiene practice of parents and caregivers,” he said.
Valdez noted that children can learn from parents some hygiene practices to protect themselves such as proper handwashing with soap and clean water; avoid touching eyes, nose or mouth with dirty hands; avoid getting near other child/adult who is sick; and avoid eating raw or undercooked animal products.
Children at play outside, Valdez said, should also learn cough etiquette. “Teach them to cover their mouth and nose with flexed elbow, tissue paper or cloth when coughing or sneezing,” he explained. “When coughing or sneezing to tissue papers, children should throw it into the trash bin and wash hands with soap and clean water immediately,” he added.
Valdez also reminded parents and caregivers to handle and prepare food safely, cook animal products thoroughly. “Parents and caregivers should maintain clean, surfaces and objects particularly for babies prone to putting objects to their mouth,” he said.
The SCP also urged parents and caregivers to seek medical help when their children or they themselves feel sick and do not practice self-medication. “By protecting themselves, parents and caregivers can prevent the spread of airborne diseases at home, thus, setting the first line of defense for their children,” Valdez said.
Valdez also underscored the importance of breastfeeding particularly babies who are two years-old and below to strengthen their immune system.
Save the Children is advocating exclusive breastfeeding to babies from newborn to six months and continuous breastfeeding to babies up to two years old. It also provides access to safe water for drinking and hygiene, toilets and handwashing facilities in schools to ensure children in deprived and hard to reach areas are protected from preventable diseases.