Kennedy Oruenjo, Director of Public Health during the event/Photo, Siaya county government/
Siaya County on 15th October 2024, commemorated World Hand Washing Day with a community event at Bar Ongon’go Chief Camp.
The event which was graced by Kennedy Oruenjo, Director of Public Health, as the Chief Guest,emphasized on the critical role of hand hygiene in disease prevention.
During his speech, Oruenjo reminded attendees that clean hands are vital in preventing diseases and saving lives, which in turn allows healthcare workers to focus on other pressing health issues.
“Hand washing with soap is not only simple and effective but also essential in our fight against preventable illnesses,” he stated.
Oruenjo pointed out that the heightened awareness of hand washing during the COVID-19 pandemic led to a significant reduction in diarrheal diseases from 2019 to 2021.
He however, cautioned that last year’s cholera outbreak in the county serves as a stark reminder of the need to maintain preventive measures.
The event included practical demonstrations on proper hand washing techniques, emphasizing that hands should be free of harmful bacteria before coming into contact with the mouth.
Oruenjo urged community members to adopt hand washing as a daily routine, particularly after using the toilet or touching contaminated surfaces.
He called for a commitment to hand hygiene not just on World Hand Washing Day, but every day, to ensure the health and safety of the community.
Statistics reveal alarming trends, particularly concerning children. More children under five die from preventable diarrheal diseases than from HIV, measles, and malaria combined.
In 2008 for instance, 1.87 million children in this age group succumbed to cholera, highlighting the urgency of hand hygiene education.
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