Global Handwashing
15th October 2021 – a global advocacy day wherein we celebrated Global Handwashing with the theme: Our Future is at the Hand- Let’s Move Forward Together. The program aimed and dedicated in increasing awareness and understanding the importance of handwashing with soap as effective and affordable way to prevent diseases and saves lives. This is also in pursuant with OUA MEMO 00-1021-0022 dated September 29, 2021 as the Bureau of Learner Support Services – School Health Division (BLSS-SHD) in partnership with the Department of Health (DOH), World Health Organization (WHO) and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) shall held this year’s celebration.
To maximize awareness and understanding on the importance of handwashing, P. Villanueva Elementary School – Pasay City SPED Center’s Wash in School TWG, headed by the School’s Principal Lea M. Marcelo, Nurse Michelle San Pedro, WINS Coordinator Annaliza Vigil, planned the activities for the Global Handwashing Day.
For the morning activities in school, a lecture for parents regarding the proper way of hand washing was conducted by Nurse Michelle. Meanwhile, Dr. Irma Arellano, the School Dentist, and SDO Dentist in Charge, had the discussion on Proper Oral care. Additionally, Ma’am Lea Marcelo, made an appeal to the parents to instill the value of Proper Hygiene and how important Handwashing is, specially that we are still in the time of Pandemic. After the talks, every parent was given a Hygiene Kit, one kit each learner.
A pre-recorded video of Proper Handwashing, Toothbrushing and Deworming Lectures were also played to the students during their virtual classes. Then followed by the Simultaneous Handwashing and Toothbrushing Activities which were both done at school by the Non-Teaching Personnel and by the teachers and learners in their respective homes.
For the afternoon session, students, teachers and non-teaching personnel attended a virtual symposium entitled, “Malinis na Kamay Para sa Kinabukasan ng Bayan” via the DepEd Philippines Facebook page. This symposium was a collaboration of DepEd, DOH, WHO and UNICEF, promoting a culture of Hand Hygiene by highlighting best practices on encouraging handwashing behavior among key stakeholder. In addition, the event also included the launching of WASH O’clock campaign as a platform for public awareness, advocacy, and social mobilization in the selected areas.
This year’s joint celebration strengthens the commitment of P. Villanueva Elementary School and Pasay City Special Education Center to create a culture of handwashing as we all know that aside from helping prevent COVID-19 transmission, handwashing with soap also prevents other diseases and infections. The observance of handwashing practice, along with other measures, is a particular action that the school recognizes as we embark on piloting face-to-face classes in the near future.
Let us all be the driving force in promoting the practice of hand hygiene and help in ensuring that children of tomorrow grow in healthy environment.
