THE Department of Health (DOH) and the World Health Organization (WHO) yesterday urged local government units (LGUs) to prioritize establishing handwashing facilities in their areas to promote proper hand hygiene and prevent the spread of infectious diseases.
The call was made in a joint statement for the celebration of the Global Handwashing Day which is observed every 15th of October.
“To help communities achieve improved sanitation and hygiene, the DOH also encourages local leaders to invest in and prioritize hand hygiene infrastructure and supplies,” said Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa.
“By prioritizing infection prevention and control, especially through effective hand hygiene, we can significantly enhance quality of care and patient safety, thus ultimately ensuring better health for all,” said WHO Representative to the Philippines Dr. Rui Paulo de Jesus.
They said handwashing reduces transmission of diarrheal diseases such as typhoid, cholera, and gastroenteritis by around 30 percent; and respiratory infections such as colds, flu, COVID-19, and tuberculosis by around 20 percent.
It also prevents the transmission of mpox, especially in cases where one may come in contact with contaminated objects and/or surfaces, said the health authorities.
The WHO and DOH also said handwashing significantly prevents infection from salmonella, as well as soil-transmitted parasites and worms.
“Local leaders, who prioritize access to clean and safe water for everyone in their communities, make clean hands the first line of defense against disease,” said Herbosa.
