Pemba RC promotes handwashing, hygiene
PEMBA: NORTH Pemba Regional Commissioner, Mgeni Khatib Yahya has urged residents to make handwashing with clean running water and soap a daily habit to prevent diseases and protect public health.
She made the call at Chamanangwe grounds in Wete District during a public awareness campaign aimed at educating residents on the importance of hand hygiene in preventing the spread of diseases.
Ms Yahya said proper handwashing was among the simplest and most effective ways of protecting individuals and communities against illnesses associated with poor hygiene.
She urged residents to wash their hands at critical times, particularly before eating, before preparing food and after using the toilet.
The regional commissioner called on religious leaders, parents and teachers to work together to promote handwashing, proper nutrition and environmental cleanliness.
She stressed that health education should begin at home and continue in schools and other community settings to make hygiene practices part of everyday life.
Ms Yahya also underscored the importance of a balanced diet, saying adequate nutrition helped strengthen the body and maintain good health.
She urged residents to keep their homes and public facilities clean, noting that collective responsibility was essential to creating safe and healthy communities.
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The RC commended OIKOS for supporting public awareness campaigns and community education initiatives aimed at improving hygiene and environmental sanitation.
She said cooperation between the government and development partners was important in expanding health education and strengthening efforts to promote clean surroundings.
Ms Yahya encouraged residents to make hygiene, proper nutrition and environmental cleanliness integral to their daily routines, emphasising that protecting public health was a shared responsibility.
Residents who attended the campaign welcomed the initiative, saying the information provided would help families improve their hygiene practices and protect themselves against preventable diseases.
They expressed appreciation for the awareness drive, noting that greater understanding of handwashing and cleanliness could encourage practical changes at household level.
The campaign forms part of wider community efforts to promote preventive health practices and encourage residents to take greater responsibility for their wellbeing.
