The Importance of Handwashing

by Jocelyn O. Abao

Head Teacher III, Mapa Elementary School

Contributor

ACCORDING to the Health Reports, every year more than 3.5 million children below 5 years old all over the world die of diarrhea and pneumonia. In our country, 10,000 children die every year from diarrhea and pneumonia, which was reported as the 3rd leading cause of death among kids under five. Same report says seven out of 10 children and three to 12 years of age suffer from intestinal worms. Meanwhile, H1N1 flu virus has been fast spreading in recent months.

All these can be minimized through proper handwashing.

Using the DepEd's essential health care program (EHCP) guidelines on proper handwashing we can reduce health problems. The EHCP is a simple, cost-effective school-based health program of DepEd in partnership with the local government units, the private sector and other

community stakeholders, to keep school children healthy.

It is a challenge to all of us. We don't want to be robbed of our future because of poor hygiene and sanitation. Handwashing is a simple and cost effective solution to health problems such diarrhea, respiratory tract infection, pneumonia and intestinal worms.

Handwashing, if done properly, is the simplest way to avoid getting sick.