Why access to handwashing facilities is crucial for the return to full in-person classes 


The Department of Education (DepED) along with its partners on Friday, Oct. 14, underscored the need to increase access to handwashing facilities to create safe learning environments as the return to full face-to-face classes approaches.

(DepED file photo)

“Hand hygiene promotion has always been part of our curriculum implementation, infrastructure development and school governance,” said DepED Undersecretary for Field Operations and Governance Revsee Escobedo said in his message read by Bureau of Learner Support Services Director Lope Santos III during this year’s celebration of Global Handwashing Day.

Escobedo noted that in light of the Covid-19 pandemic, DepED has intensified the WASH in Schools (WinS) program “while underlining additional infection prevention and control measures, to promote hand hygiene.”

To further promote the importance of proper handwashing and access to such facilities in creating safe learning environments, DepED partnered with the Department of Health (DOH), UNICEF, WHO, and the City of Marikina for this year’s Global Handwashing Day celebration.

To mark this year’s theme of “Sama-samang ikaway, Malilinis na Kamay!,” partners gathered at the Marikina Elementary School to reaffirm their commitment to strengthening programs on hand hygiene and increasing access to hand hygiene facilities for schools and other community spaces, such as markets, health centers, and offices.

Importance of proper hand hygiene

Evidence has shown that handwashing with soap can reduce diarrhea by 30 percent and respiratory infections by up to 20 percent.

Diarrhea and pneumonia are preventable and yet in the Philippines, they rank high among the 10 leading causes of death for children 1 to 4 years old, according to DOH’s 2019 Philippine Health Statistics.

Handwashing also contributes to the reduction, prevention, and elimination of stunting. Around 30 percent of children under five in the Philippines are stunted, according to the Food and Nutrition Institute (FNRI).

“Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic and even prior, the DOH has strongly advocated for the regular use and practice of proper handwashing — not only does it help get rid of viruses and other pathogens which in turn prevents transmission of COVID and other communicable diseases, but it also strengthens and instills good and healthy habits of protection not just for children and schools but for healthy communities as well,” said DOH Officer-in-Charge Dr. Maria Rosario Singh-Vergeire.

Based on a study conducted by DepEd and UNICEF in Zamboanga del Norte schools, handwashing nudges, such as colorful footprints leading to handwashing stations, “watching” eyes, arrow stickers pointing to soap, and posters with simple messages have been effective in increasing handwashing practice of students by 17.3 percentage points.

DOH, together with UNICEF, has also been implementing the Wash O’Clock national handwashing campaign, which uses these behavioral nudges to remind the public to wash their hands with soap at critical times, such as before eating and after toilet use.

The campaign has reached about 3.4 million Filipinos to date.

In Marikina City, Mayor Marcelino Teodoro noted that the multi-sectoral initiative has been adopted and received positively. “We have been encouraging frequent handwashing as part of our COVID-19 health protocols, and now we are excited to implement the Health Promotion Playbook on behavioral nudges in our communities. This will help make handwashing with soap a healthy habit in Marikina,” he said.

Access is a must

Meanwhile, development partners also emphasized joint action as the key to ensuring widespread accessibility of hand hygiene facilities.

“The commitment of our partners – from the national and local governments – is a welcome initiative to help us prepare for future outbreaks,” said WHO Philippines Officer-in-Charge Dr. Graham Harrison.

“Everyone has their own role to play to make universal access to hand hygiene a reality for all, including across schools, communities, public spaces, and health care facilities,” he added.

Likewise, UNICEF Representative in the Philippines Oyunsaikhan Dendevnorov stressed that handwashing is one of the basic yet most critical ways to improve children’s health and well-being.

“Access to handwashing facilities and supplies is fundamental in ensuring children’s right to a clean, healthy environment that supports their optimal growth and development,” Dendevnorov said. “Let us all work together to achieve universal hand hygiene for children,” she added.

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https://mb.com.ph/2022/08/11/face-to-face-classes-will-be-mandatory-for-public-private-schools-this-sy-deped/