Pretoria - The Department of Water and Sanitation, in partnership with the Department of Health and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), will today join the world in celebrating Global Handwashing Day.
The annual Global Handwashing Day on 15 October forms part of efforts to encourage people to wash their hands with soap in order to reduce the spread of communicable diseases such as diarrhoea and child mortality rates.
The campaign is dedicated to raising awareness about the criticality of washing hands with soap, especially after using the toilet, playing with animals, before eating or handling food, before feeding babies, after sneezing and as one the cheapest ways to stay healthier.
South Africa will celebrate the day with an event at a school in Soweto, under the theme “Raise a hand for hygiene”.
Minister of Water and Sanitation Nomvula Mokonyane, Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi and UNICEF senior representatives are expected to attend the event. - SAnews.gov.za
