Proper handwashing promotes good nutrition
Global Handwashing Day (GHD) in the Philippines came early again this year, as Manila Water Foundation, a local water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) organization, kicked start its grand launch on Oct. 5 at KidZania Manila in Taguig City.
With the theme “Clean Hands – A Recipe for Health,” this year’s GHD focuses on the links between handwashing and nutrition. MWF partnered with nutrition institutions, namely the National Nutrition Council (NNC), Nutrition Center of the Philippines and Philippine Association of Nutritionists (PAN) to further the advocacy.
“We advocate the proper handwashing with clean water and soap to our kids in schools and communities to keep them healthy and prevent communicable diseases. It also plays a vital role in avoiding malnutrition, reducing absenteeism and contributing to a productive citizenry,” said MWF executive director Reginald Andal.
In relation to the theme, MWF prepared a month-long series of events that aims to discuss how handwashing can lead to attaining good nutrition.
NNC executive director Jovita Raval said that proper handwashing is one of the key interventions to prevent stunting, which affects most children in the Philippines. “33 percent of children in the Philippines are stunted, mainly because of poor nutrition. Also, because children are prone to infections and diarrheal diseases as a result of poor handwashing, this leads to stunting,” she said.
The kickoff event invited children supported by Educational Research and Development Assistance (ERDA) Foundation.
“We started partnering with Manila Water [Foundation] since last year,” ERDA Foundation executive director Dolora Cardeño shared. “Our kids are very happy because they were exposed to interesting places, at the same time, gave them additional learnings about handwashing, which is connected to their health and nutrition,” she added.
MWF will bring the celebration to the following areas: Mauaque Ressettlement High School in Mabalacat, Pampanga; Jose F. Diaz Stadium in San Mateo, Rizal; Don Jose National High School in Sta. Rosa, Laguna; Ayala Center Cebu; and Abreeza Mall Davao. On the actual Global Handwashing Day, Oct. 15, MWF will be in San Mateo, Rizal to engage with a bigger community, and expand the impact of the event.
Since 2013, MWF, through its hygiene education program “Health in Our Hands,” has been one of the most visible and active proponents of GHD in the Philippines. This year, MWF hopes to continue to lead GHD in the country by encouraging more than 25,000 onsite participants to make proper handwashing a lifestyle. It also intends to reach 13 million individuals through digital campaigns, and the support of its public, private, and media partners, following its almost 12 million reach last year.