Malaba:Teso North Schools in Teso North Sub-County have been encouraged to repair non-functional handwashing facilities to address declining hygiene practices since the COVID-19 pandemic. During the Global Handwashing Day celebrations at Malaba Dispensary, Teso North Sub-County Public Health Officer Dennis Wekesa highlighted that about 100 schools had such facilities, most of which are no longer in use.
According to Kenya News Agency, Wekesa urged school administrators to ensure learners have access to clean running water and soap. He noted that handwashing became widespread during the COVID-19 pandemic, helping to prevent infections, but the practice has since declined. Residents were also advised to wash their hands at critical times, such as before eating, after using the toilet, and when visiting health facilities.
Proper handwashing with soap and clean water prevents the spread of bacteria, viruses, and germs that cause illnesses like diarrhoea and the common cold. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that handwashing education can reduce diarrhoeal illnesses by 23 to 40 percent and respiratory illnesses, including colds, by 16 to 21 percent.
This year’s Handwashing Day theme, ‘Be a Handwashing Hero’, emphasized making handwashing a daily routine to prevent infections. Public Health Officer Wekesa also called on churches to install and maintain handwashing facilities for proper hygiene during gatherings.
Busia County Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Coordinator Priscilla Juma called for stakeholder collaboration to improve access to clean water, soap, and suitable handwashing facilities. She stressed that awareness campaigns alone are insufficient without reliable access to these materials and urged healthcare facilities to enhance hand hygiene practices to minimize infection risks.
