During a pandemic like COVID-19, it is evident that regular hand washing is important especially when it comes to limiting the spread of the virus.

 Health experts urge that good hygiene practices coupled with wearing a mask and maintaining physical distance remain effective ways to decrease the spread of COVID-19 in the country.

Handwashing with soap for at least 40 seconds observing Ministry of Health/Rwanda biomedical Center and World Health Organization recommended instructions and steps kills the virus and prevents further spreading through handshaking or touching objects so always wash hands correctly.

Experts also urge that the current COVID-19 pandemic has yet again highlighted the critical role hand hygiene plays in disease transmission.

According to UNICEF and WHO Joint Monitoring Program that use national reporting sources such as Integrated Household Living Conditions Survey (EICV) and Rwanda Demographic Survey (DHS), In Rwanda for instance, 12 percent of households have a place where they can wash hands, however, only five percent of the households have water and soap in the facility.

 This shows that less numbers of people in Rwanda practice effective handwashing with water and soap.

 With the pandemic still ongoing for a second year, Rajat Madhok, chief, communication Advocacy and partnerships UNICEF- Rwanda says there is an urgent need to take hand hygiene across all public and private settings very seriously.

 This, he believes, is one of the most effective ways to respond and control the spread of COVID-19.

 Why it’s crucial

 Health experts say the benefits of good hygiene go beyond preventing COVID-19.

For instance, a simple exercise such as effectively washing hands regularly can reduce other hygiene-related diseases such as diarrhea and cholera.

Madhok says good hygiene also contributes to the survival and health of children by reducing stunting, diarrhea, and acute respiratory infections.

"Proper hygiene also improves children's growth and learning outcomes as they are healthier,” he adds.

 Measures in place

The Government of Rwanda is currently implementing the National Hygiene Strategy in November 2019 with the support of UNICEF and partners.

In addition, UNICEF has constructed handwashing facilities for schools and health care facilities to support Rwanda's efforts to fight COVID-19.

UNICEF is also working with partners and volunteers on creating awareness in communities across the country on the benefits of proper hygiene including food hygiene and how they can further stop the spread of COVID-19 and other diseases.

Hand washing should become a social norm in Rwanda and not a preventive strategy.

"We need to build on the current momentum to make hand hygiene a mainstay in public health interventions beyond the pandemic and create a culture of hand hygiene. Hand hygiene must become everybody’s business,” he says.

 What should be done?

According to Alphonsine Mukamunana, in charge of infection, prevention, and control in the ministry of health there is a need for all stakeholders to help raise awareness on handwashing with soap and water especially targeting communities, schools, health care centers, and other public places like churches and markets.

Also, she says decision-makers in collaboration with beneficiaries should enhance the Social and Behavior Change Communication (SBCC) of handwashing with soap and water.

They should as well reinforce the use of a hygienic latrine and safe water for drinking, food hygiene to improve the overall health of communities and children.