Kanpur schools host hand hygiene events

Kanpur: World Hand Hygiene Day awareness programmes were organised across various schools, health units, women’s health committees and Anganwadi centres in the district. During the programme, the importance of hand hygiene was explained in detail. Anganwadi workers, health personnel, schoolchildren, parents and teachers participated in awareness programmes organised under the 'No Fear of Diarrhoea' initiative, held under the aegis of the Health Department — along with the Department of Education and Child Development Services and Nutrition (ICDS) — and in collaboration with Population Services International India and KENVUE. In addition to raising awareness about the importance of ORS and zinc, packets of ORS were also distributed. During a meeting held at the Urban Primary Health Centre in Sajari, the medical officer-in-charge, Dr Shalini Srivastava, provided a detailed explanation — facilitated through SUMAN K — regarding the six steps of proper handwashing to the assembled staff and members of the public, and also conducted a practical demonstration. During an awareness programme held at the Composite School in Benajhabar, Principal Sarika stated that the simplest and most effective method for preventing infectious diseases is to properly wash one's hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.