AGORA XXI: BLOG OF THE COMMUNITY OF SAINT PAUL

THE IMPORTANCE OF HAND WASHING: MEKI, ETHIOPIA

Dr. Gemma Regales tells us of her experience in the health and disease prevention program that she conducts with the student population of the Apostolic Vicariate of Meki.

“The illnesses that we see daily, like diarrhea, intestinal parasites, skin problems, eye and respiratory infections, are the result of poor hygiene.  All of these illnesses, especially diarrhea, can be prevented by simple hand washing. There are five critical moments when we should all wash our hands:  before and after eating; after going to the bathroom; before, during and after preparing food; after touching animals; and after coughing and sneezing.”

Although in many countries, hygiene habits are regularly practiced, it is not that way where water is a scarce commodity, like in many parts of Ethiopia.  It is difficult to wash one’s hands correctly (and regularly) when one has to go all the way to far away fountain, stand in line, and carry the water on one’s head ...after the school day or after many other obligations... as in the case of mothers of families.
The health program in Meki Catholic School insists on prevention as the foremost way to have better health.  A good state of health increases the ability of school age children and adolescents to learn, decreases days absent from school due to sickness, and generates an important positive impact.  It also diminishes the cost of medical care for families, and the children influence the whole family with the new habits that they acquire from the health program.