The annual Global Handwashing Day (October 15) celebrations are occasions to emphasise the role of handwashing with soap in the prevention of common but potentially lethal diseases such as diarrhoea, and many countries around the world are holding activities to promote the practice. Here we take a look at one initiative which is already proving successful in Myanmar:The Thant Shin Star Club was recently established in schools to promote Handwashing Behaviour across Myanmar society, through school children.
13-year-old Grade 8 student Zin Zin Myo Tun from No. (14) Basic High School from Nay Pyi Taw is happy to be a voluntary member of Thant Shin Star Club at her school, which encourages handwashing at critical times, such as before eating and after using the toilet.
In collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Education, UNICEF launched the Myanmar Handwashing Communication Initiative on June 18, 2014 at Thingaha Hotel in Nay Pyi Taw.
The Myanmar Handwashing Communication Initiative aims to improve hygiene behaviour, especially amongst children in schools and, through them, to reach family and community members and encourage handwashing. It employs an innovative approach that engages children as the leaders in conveying important WASH and health messages to their parents and peers, thus becoming the agents of change.
“At school, I’ve learned about the importance of handwashing since I was in Grade 3. I’ve learned that regular handwashing at critical times can help prevent many diseases and it is good for me and my friends and my family,” said Zin Zin Myo Tun.
Investing in WASH programmes in schools – handwashing, use of latrines and drinking safe water – creates immediate, tangible benefits, not only inside the school environment but also in the wider community, by improving sanitation and hygiene practices.
“It is an essential and cost-effective method for preventing diarrheal and other diseases. The simple act of washing hands with soap can significantly cut the risk of diarrhoea from 30 per cent to 50 per cent, and that of respiratory tract infection from 21 per cent to 45 per cent. Adequate water and sanitation as part of a healthy school environment significantly improves a child’s prospects to develop and thrive,” said H.E Dr. Thein Thein Htay, Deputy Minister for Health at the launch of the Thant Shin Star Club in June 2014.
Schools with quality WASH programmes can effectively reduce the transmission of diseases. Children spend long hours in school, where the physical environment and cleanliness of educational facilities significantly determines the state of their health and well-being.
For schools, the health focus is generally on diarrhoea, worm infections and respiratory infections, because these diseases affect school-age children most. It has been estimated that 88 per cent of diarrheal diseases are caused by unsafe water supplies, inadequate sanitation and inappropriate hygiene.
Mr. Bertrand Bainvel, UNICEF Myanmar Representative said “Children can be forceful agents of change. By focusing on school-aged children, giving them the tools, knowledge and opportunities to change behaviours today, we can ensure that future generations are better prepared to care for their families, communities and environment.”
13-year-old Grade 8 student Zin Zin Myo Tun from No. (14) Basic High School from Nay Pyi Taw is happy to be a voluntary member of Thant Shin Star Club at her school, which encourages handwashing at critical times, such as before eating and after using the toilet.
In collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Education, UNICEF launched the Myanmar Handwashing Communication Initiative on June 18, 2014 at Thingaha Hotel in Nay Pyi Taw.
The Myanmar Handwashing Communication Initiative aims to improve hygiene behaviour, especially amongst children in schools and, through them, to reach family and community members and encourage handwashing. It employs an innovative approach that engages children as the leaders in conveying important WASH and health messages to their parents and peers, thus becoming the agents of change.
“At school, I’ve learned about the importance of handwashing since I was in Grade 3. I’ve learned that regular handwashing at critical times can help prevent many diseases and it is good for me and my friends and my family,” said Zin Zin Myo Tun.
Investing in WASH programmes in schools – handwashing, use of latrines and drinking safe water – creates immediate, tangible benefits, not only inside the school environment but also in the wider community, by improving sanitation and hygiene practices.
“It is an essential and cost-effective method for preventing diarrheal and other diseases. The simple act of washing hands with soap can significantly cut the risk of diarrhoea from 30 per cent to 50 per cent, and that of respiratory tract infection from 21 per cent to 45 per cent. Adequate water and sanitation as part of a healthy school environment significantly improves a child’s prospects to develop and thrive,” said H.E Dr. Thein Thein Htay, Deputy Minister for Health at the launch of the Thant Shin Star Club in June 2014.
Schools with quality WASH programmes can effectively reduce the transmission of diseases. Children spend long hours in school, where the physical environment and cleanliness of educational facilities significantly determines the state of their health and well-being.
For schools, the health focus is generally on diarrhoea, worm infections and respiratory infections, because these diseases affect school-age children most. It has been estimated that 88 per cent of diarrheal diseases are caused by unsafe water supplies, inadequate sanitation and inappropriate hygiene.
Mr. Bertrand Bainvel, UNICEF Myanmar Representative said “Children can be forceful agents of change. By focusing on school-aged children, giving them the tools, knowledge and opportunities to change behaviours today, we can ensure that future generations are better prepared to care for their families, communities and environment.”
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School children pledge to practise
regular handwashing and to be members of the Thant Shin Campaign during the
launch of the Myanmar Handwashing Communication Initiative held in Nay Pyi Taw
on June 18, 2014
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Mr. Bertrand Bainvel, UNICEF Myanmar Representative said “Children can be forceful agents of change. By focusing on school-aged children, giving them the tools, knowledge and opportunities to change behaviours today, we can ensure that future generations are better prepared to care for their families, communities and environment.”
U Ko Lay Win, a Director in the Department of Education Planning and Training (DEPT) emphasized that this communication campaign (Establishing Thant Shin Star Club) is firmly based in schools. The first objective is to educate children at school about handwashing behaviour. Second, it is to share this knowledge with family members. Third is to disseminate the handwashing practice to the wider community through the students and family members, and our ultimate goal is that the whole of society will practice handwashing at critical times.
“One of the challenges in fully implementing this initiative in schools is the provision of adequate facilities such as soap, water and a place to wash. With these provisions in place it will be easier to fully implement the campaign,” said Dr. Hla Mya Thway Einda, Deputy Director of Central Health Education Bureau (CHEB).
Kyaw Thant Paing, a 14-year-old Grade 8 student from NO (14) Basic High School in Nay Pyi Taw is also committed to the Thant Shin Star Club for the handwashing awareness campaign.
“I will try my best to practice handwashing regularly before eating and after defecation at school and home. I will also share this knowledge with my parents, brothers and sisters occasionally,” he said.
This year, the Global Handwashing Day theme is: ‘Choose handwashing, choose health’. Teachers, parents, health care professionals and others can improve the health of children and adults in their communities by promoting handwashing with soap at critical times; and governments, not-for-profit organizations, the private sector, and donors can promote and invest in handwashing programmes to improve health on a large scale.
Global Handwashing Day: a reminder that this simple practice saves lives
About Global Handwashing Day:
Global Handwashing Day is celebrated on October 15. The Global Public-Private Partnership for Handwashing with Soap initiated Global Handwashing Day in 2008, and it is endorsed by governments, international institutions, civil society organisations, NGOs, private companies and individuals around the globe. Visit www.globalhandwashingday.org
By Ye Lwin
U Ko Lay Win, a Director in the Department of Education Planning and Training (DEPT) emphasized that this communication campaign (Establishing Thant Shin Star Club) is firmly based in schools. The first objective is to educate children at school about handwashing behaviour. Second, it is to share this knowledge with family members. Third is to disseminate the handwashing practice to the wider community through the students and family members, and our ultimate goal is that the whole of society will practice handwashing at critical times.
“One of the challenges in fully implementing this initiative in schools is the provision of adequate facilities such as soap, water and a place to wash. With these provisions in place it will be easier to fully implement the campaign,” said Dr. Hla Mya Thway Einda, Deputy Director of Central Health Education Bureau (CHEB).
Kyaw Thant Paing, a 14-year-old Grade 8 student from NO (14) Basic High School in Nay Pyi Taw is also committed to the Thant Shin Star Club for the handwashing awareness campaign.
“I will try my best to practice handwashing regularly before eating and after defecation at school and home. I will also share this knowledge with my parents, brothers and sisters occasionally,” he said.
This year, the Global Handwashing Day theme is: ‘Choose handwashing, choose health’. Teachers, parents, health care professionals and others can improve the health of children and adults in their communities by promoting handwashing with soap at critical times; and governments, not-for-profit organizations, the private sector, and donors can promote and invest in handwashing programmes to improve health on a large scale.
Global Handwashing Day: a reminder that this simple practice saves lives
About Global Handwashing Day:
Global Handwashing Day is celebrated on October 15. The Global Public-Private Partnership for Handwashing with Soap initiated Global Handwashing Day in 2008, and it is endorsed by governments, international institutions, civil society organisations, NGOs, private companies and individuals around the globe. Visit www.globalhandwashingday.org
By Ye Lwin
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