Soweto:South Africa As Global Handwashing Day is observed, Water and Sanitation Deputy Minister Jack Bloom has emphasized the critical role of handwashing with soap and clean water in preventing disease and saving lives. He urged parents, teachers, and caregivers to promote this simple yet effective practice.

According to South African Government News Agency, Global Handwashing Day, held annually on 15 October, aims to raise awareness about the significance of handwashing with soap. This year’s campaign continues the theme 'Be a Handwashing Hero,' which acknowledges those who promote hand hygiene to protect health and encourages everyone, from children to officials, to participate in these efforts.

Bloom highlighted alarming statistics, noting that nearly 3,000 children under five in South Africa died from diarrhoea, influenza, and pneumonia in 2024. He stressed that many of these deaths could have been prevented through regular handwashing with soap and clean water.

During a visit to Kido's Educare Centre in Soweto, Bloom observed principal Julia Maseko teaching children about hand hygiene. International studies, including those by the United States Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, indicate that handwashing with soap can significantly reduce diarrhoeal and respiratory illnesses.

UNICEF reports that consistent handwashing after toilet use and before meals can lower the risk of diarrhoeal disease by more than 40%. Despite this, Stats SA's 2024 General Household Survey revealed that only 54% of South African households practice proper handwashing after using the toilet.

A survey in Soweto also indicated higher rates of diarrhoea in homes with poor hand hygiene. Bloom urged communities to adopt handwashing habits before meals and after various activities, advocating for adults to instill these practices in children from an early age.