00:00Today, October 15th, marks Global Handwashing Day 2025, and this year's theme, Be a Handwashing Hero.
00:10It calls on everyone to take personal responsibility for promoting hand hygiene as a simple but powerful act that saves lives.
00:19Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, awareness about handwashing has grown significantly in Nigeria.
00:30During that period, the use of hand sanitizers became widespread as people learned the importance of keeping their hands clean to prevent the spread of the virus.
00:41Public and private organizations installed handwashing stations, and local producers increased sanitizer supply across the country.
00:51Before the pandemic, only about 16% of Nigerian households had access to basic handwashing facilities with soap and water, according to UNICEF.
01:03The COVID-19 crisis, however, spurred nationwide campaigns and community effort that greatly improved awareness and practice,
01:14though challenges still remain in terms of infrastructure and access to clean water.
01:21Studies have shown that proper handwashing can reduce diarrhea diseases by up to 30% and lower respiratory infections by around 23%,
01:33proving that clean hands remain one of the most effective public health tools.
01:40However, despite progress, experts warns that sustaining these gains requires continuous education and investment.
01:51Nigeria's Hand Hygiene for All Roadmap Support by UNICEF estimates that about US$2.5 billion is needed between 2021 and 2025
02:04to ensure universal access to soap, water, and handwashing facilities as the world celebrates Global Handwashing Day.
02:15Health authorities are urging Nigerians to keep up the habit washing hands regularly with soap and running water or using alcohol-based sanitizer when necessary.
02:29Being a handwashing hero, they say, means protecting not just yourself, but your community as well.
Be the first to comment