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Global Handwashing Day
Observed in Bangladesh
The first ever Global Handwashing Day
was observed on 15th October 2008 with the aim of
raising awareness on the importance of washing hands
with soap at critical times. This most basic of hygiene
practices had been shown to reduce substantially the
incidence of diarrhoeal disease and pneumonia, two of
the leading causes of death in children under five years
of age. The focus of this year’s campaign was on school
children as agents of change. School age children often
care for their younger siblings, and talk to their
parents and relatives about their school learning.
Changing behaviours requires long and persistent
programmes to be successful but well-documented case
studies have shown that children can be highly effective
in bringing about behavioural change.
Global Handwashing Day was observed
in thousands of schools and was marked by diverse
handwashing events including drama, song and rallies.
In Bangladesh the event supported by WHO and other
development partners was celebrated on 22 October due to
schools being closed on 15 October. However, a press
conference was held in the auditorium of the Department
of Public Health Engineering on 15 October to highlight
the importance of the event, and a television talk show
broadcast that emphasised the importance of handwashing
for health. To mark the day a Communication Kit was
developed and distributed to 75 thousand schools across
the country. The kit included posters, soap and a
certificate given to the participating school.
Under the WHO Healthy Settings
Programme hand-washing advocacy meetings were organised
in 14 Cities and Municipalities, and correct
hand-washing techniques were demonstrated in 800 schools
in these localities with the participation and support
of senior dignitaries including Mayors and Deputy
Commissioners.
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