The Department of Health (DOH), in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), joined countries worldwide in celebrating Global Handwashing Day on Tuesday, Oct. 15.
This year's theme, "Why Are Clean Hands Important?" emphasized the crucial role of proper hand hygiene in preventing the spread of infectious diseases and enhancing overall public health.
As part of its commitment to improving the health outcomes of Filipinos, the DOH has identified Water Supply, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) as one of its eight priority health outcomes.
The goal is to raise the percentage of the population with access to clean water from 88 to 100 percent.
WASH in schools
To support the WASH in Schools (WINS) program of the Department of Education (DepEd), the DOH has offered both technical and financial assistance to help schools meet health standards.
This support includes maintaining and repairing toilets and water facilities, implementing handwashing reminders in restrooms and handwashing areas, installing group handwashing stations, and conducting daily handwashing drills in schools.
Meanwhile, to promote better sanitation and hygiene in communities, the DOH encouraged local leaders to invest in and prioritize hand hygiene infrastructure and supplies.
DOH Secretary Teodoro J. Herbosa noted that local leaders who prioritize access to clean and safe water for everyone in their communities make clean hands the first line of defense against disease.
“In our communities, especially those affected by floods or where access to clean water is a challenge, handwashing with soap saves lives,” Herbosa said, noting that the DOH “remains committed to promoting hand hygiene as a key health strategy to safeguard the well-being of all Filipinos.”
The DOH is also actively involved in developing and refining the Global Guidelines for Hand Hygiene in Community Settings, an initiative led by the WHO and UNICEF.
Handwashing saves lives
The DOH stressed that the practice of regular handwashing with soap serves as a “simple yet effective way to prevent illness and save lives, especially in vulnerable communities such as schools, healthcare settings, and households.”
The DOH also notes that clean hands reduce the transmission of diarrheal diseases, such as typhoid, cholera, and gastroenteritis, by around 30%, and respiratory infections, such as colds, flu, COVID-19, and tuberculosis, by around 20%.
Handwashing with soap, the DOH said, also prevents the transmission of Mpox, especially in cases where one may come into contact with contaminated objects and surfaces.
“Furthermore, handwashing significantly prevents infections from Salmonella, as well as soil-transmitted parasites and worms,” it added.
Vital partner
The DOH highlighted that the WHO continues to be a vital partner in supporting hand hygiene and sanitation programs across the country.
“WHO Philippines encourages everyone to take hand hygiene seriously because it is essential for achieving Universal Health Care,” said WHO Representative to the Philippines Dr. Rui Paulo de Jesus.
“By prioritizing infection prevention and control, especially through effective hand hygiene, we can significantly enhance the quality of care and patient safety, ultimately ensuring better health for all,” he added.