At a young age, we were taught to wash our hands before and after eating, and after using the bathroom.

Today, October 15, did you know we are celebrating Global Handwashing Day?

This celebration began in 2008.

Global Handwashing Day is an initiative of the Global Public-Private Partnership for Handwashing, now known as the Global Handwashing Partnership.

Its goal is to promote proper handwashing worldwide.

The United Nations General Assembly declared October 15 as Global Handwashing Day to recognize the importance of hygiene and health, especially in daily activities.

That’s why this must be taught to everyone.

Handwashing is one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of germs and diseases such as diarrhea, which is often contracted from dirty hands.

According to the 2017 National Demographic and Health Survey conducted by the Philippine Statistics Authority and the United States Agency for International Development, 89% of families in the Philippines have enough water and soap to wash their hands.

Meanwhile, 5.6% only wash their hands using water, and 2.4% use only soap.

3% of families, or over 780, cannot wash their hands.

However, the public became more aware of its importance during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Wherever you went during that time, there were handwashing stations, alcohol, or hand sanitizer dispensers to help prevent the spread of the virus.

The Departments of Health (DOH) and Education (DepEd) promote proper handwashing practices.

This effort focuses on educating communities, especially in schools, about how to wash hands properly.

The DOH also teaches when to wash hands: before eating, after using the bathroom, after touching dirty objects, and after interacting with someone sick.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, washing hands can reduce cases of diarrhea by 30% and respiratory infections by 20%.

So by simply washing your hands or using alcohol, you can significantly protect yourself from any illness.

**VALERIE ANN DISMAYA