The Ministry of Health and the Unilever Fund and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) jointly organized a meeting in Hanoi on October 13 in response to Global Handwashing Day (Oct. 15).
Two hundred delegates representing ministries, departments, social organizations and international organizations attended the event, along with more than 1,500 teachers and students from 15 primary schools in the capital city.
Deputy Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long quoted that the World Health Organization (WHO), saying that proper handwashing with soap reduces the risk of diarrhea infection by 35 percent.
He noted that WHO experts say that people should always keep their hands clean to prevent the spread of hand-foot-mouth disease, as well as gastro-intestinal and respiratory illnesses that are easily transmitted between people.
Long also called on ministries, departments and news agencies to co-ordinate closely with the health sector and boost communication to increase public awareness of the importance of washing their hands with soap.
In response to Global Handwashing Day, Lifebuoy Vietnam launched a programme in six cities: Hanoi, Haiphong, Danang, Nha Trang, HCM City and Can Tho, to set a record for the most fingerprints made by 100,000 people on a 2,000m long, 3.5m wide cloth.
(VOV)
