Jutha Gupah, Damaturu
The Mercy Corps in partnership with the Yobe state government has reiterated global hand washing to fight Coronavirus (COVID-19) and other diseases that claimed many lives and property.
According to the Corps, the initiative was to raise awareness on the importance of hand washing as a fundamental action for hygiene and well-being.
Mercy Corps’ Spokesperson, represented by Dorothy Okaba, disclosed this, yesterday (Wednesday) to mark Global Hand Washing Day in Damaturu, the state capital.
She said that the enlightenments of International Non-Governmental Organisations (INGOs) and the local ones will prevent COVID-19 and other water borne diseases, including cholera and diarrhea.
Besides, she added: “The local NGOs comprise Water Aid, Taimako Community Development Initiative, Translators without Borders, and Lafiya Health Resilience of North East converged for the hand washing commemoration at Njiwaji Primary School.
Responding, the WASH Sector Chairman, Adamu Bomoi thanked the participants for attending the hand wash ceremony to fight COVID-19 and other diseases.
“You’re expected to step down the messages on regular hand washing to save people’s lives in their respective wards,” he said.
The Commissioner of Water Resources, represented by Malam Garba Ubako reiterated the importance of hand washing and the health benefits to the students and future generations.
He condemned the deplorable open defecation among the people in the state.
He, therefore, called for an attitudinal change for a healthy society.
“We are ready to stop the habit of open defecation,” he said, adding that all the schools in the state have toilets and other WASH facilities.
He said that this was to ensure a clean environment with proper hygiene to save people’s lives.
End.
