Campaign to highlight importance of hand wash launched in Orissa

Focussing on cleanliness to prevent deadly viral diseases, Orissa government in collaboration with Unicef launched a campaign among school children to make them aware of the importance of washing hand before and after having food.

The campaign started with an orientation programme held here to sensitise the teachers in charge of Red Cross and decided to observe 'world hand wash day' on October 27 by organising a rally by the students.

The programme was jointly launched by the state Water and Sanitation Mission, Sarva Sikhya Abhiyana, Indian Red Cross Society and Unicef. Most of the viral diseases could be checked with hand wash before and after the foods, chief district medical officer, Ganjam, Ratnakar Behera said.

Due to lack of awareness, he said about 95% of people in the society never wash their hands before taking food. As many deadly viral diseases like swine flu are spreading, it is essential to create awareness, particularly among the school children, the CDMO said.

He also underscored the need of hand wash of every individual in the society before and after their foods with proper utilisation of the detergents. Circle Inspector of Schools, Ganjam SK Singh presided over the meeting. Around 90 teachers from different parts of Ganjam district took part in the orientation programme.