October, 14–15, Kharkiv — Global Handwashing Day (GHD) in the Kharkiv secondary school №129 was marked in a special way.

Children were informed not only about the importance of timely and quality handwashing but also about the results of insufficient hands hygiene that were practically demonstrated to the kids. Through a special device children were able to see the germs on their hands. 240 schoolchildren from grades 1–11, including 25 displaced from ATO area attended the events.

The activities dedicated to the GHD lasted for two days — October, 14 and 15. Upper-formers explained the need of hands hygiene to younger kids and conducted practical exercises regarding mastering techniques of handwashing. After that, in the school cafeteria everyone could check the quality of the handwashing through a special device provided by MAMA-86. A special gel applied on washed hands under the ultraviolet light immediately showed accumulation of bacteria on the palms.

Global Handwashing Day has been held annually on October 15 since 2008 by the resolution of the UN General Assembly, UNICEF and the World Health Organization, and is dedicated to the basics of personal hygiene. This day aims to raise awareness about the impact of handwashing on health, with the main goal to make handwashing a routine procedure, both at home and beyond.

The main objectives of Global Handwashing Day, which is run under the “Clean Hands Save Lives!” slogan, are to engage children and adults in order to trigger a change in their habits; to show how a simple handwashing with soap and water helps to fight hepatitis and dysentery, as well as prevents acute respiratory infections (ARI) and many others.  

According to UNICEF, acute respiratory and intestinal infections annually cause the death of over 3.5 million children aged up to five years. Cholera, pneumonia, hepatitis A, grippe diseases are called “the diseases of dirty hands”.

Handwashing with soap and water after returning home from public places or using public transport, after using the toilet and before meals can reduce the level of diarrheal diseases by over 40%, and respiratory infections — almost up to 25%.