As the World commemorate the Global Handwashing Day, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) under the Partnership for Advocacy in Child and Family Health (PACFaH) Project in Nigeria, has urged the Government and the General Public to embrace regular Handwashing with Soap and Water.

Recent research according to Nigeria Demographic Survey 2013 shows that almost 900 thousand children die before their fifth birthday in Nigeria annually out of about 700 million births.

Most of these deaths, according to them are preventable and largely treatable. It further explains that for every 1,000 live-birth, 128 die before they mark their fifth (5th) birthday; this translating that one in every eight Children in Nigeria dying before they are aged five.

It was stated that Pneumonia and Diarrhoea account for 14% and 9% of the aforementioned U-5 Mortality rate (figures) respectively.

PSN however identified poor sanitation as a major contributing factor to these avoidable deaths.

According to the experts, the theme of this year’s Global Handwashing Day, ‘Make Handwashing a Habit’ “is an important admonition that when fully complied with, will not only prevents Childhood Pneumonia and Diarrhoea but will ultimately Save Lives. A study conducted by Ejemot R.I. et al shows that (habitual) handwashing with soap and water could prevent about one out of every three episodes of Diarrheal illnesses. Diarrhoea episodes and eventual mortality can be reduced by almost half if handwashing is practiced continually.”

Another study also reveals that almost one out of six episodes of Respiratory Infection such as Pneumonia can be avoided with regular and proper handwashing. In essence habitual handwashing can be seen as a ‘do-it-yourself vaccine’ that can save millions of lives especially that of the young innocent children under-five years.

“Proper handwashing involves the use of water and soap/ash especially after using the toilet/bathroom; before and after eating; before and after breastfeeding and after every out-door activity etc. Although, most people wash their hands with water, it is the use of soap or ash that can actually remove germs (microscopic harmful organisms) that causes ill-health,” it said.

The group therefore called on government to ensure that Nigerians embraces regular and proper handwashing, adding that, Health Promotion Units at the Federal and State levels should be reinvigorated to create a supportive environment, in collaboration with NGOs, CSOs and Development Partners, for health behaviour change through effective messaging to promote regular handwashing.