If Covid-19 has taught us anything, it is that hand-washing is the single most effective way to prevent the spread of infections. You can spread certain "germs” (a general term for pathogens like viruses and bacteria) casually by touching another person. You can also catch germs when you touch contaminated objects or surfaces and then you touch your face (mouth, eyes, and nose).

Good hand-washing technique is easy to learn and can significantly reduce the spread of infectious diseases among children and adults, experts say. 

The pandemic thrust hand-washing and environmental hygiene into the limelight, yet studies have shown that many people— regardless of where they live—don’t wash their hands, even after going to the toilet. For those in poverty or with limited facilities, there are additional challenges to keeping hands clean. Although data on global handwashing levels is limited, in most households, people have access to soap and water, according to an article ‘Handwashing and hygiene: How simple solutions help complex problems’ published by London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. 

According to the 2014-2015 Rwanda Demographic Health Survey (RDHS), access to water and sanitation in the country was at 4.4 per cent. At the moment, 2020 DHS data shows that access to improved water services is at 80 per cent (not considering time), and basic is at 55 per cent (access to water within 30 minutes of the round trip).

Also, access to improved sanitation services is at 72 per cent, and basic sanitation is 61 per cent (not shared). Meanwhile, access to basic handwashing facilities is at 25 per cent (handwashing facility with water and soap).

According to officials, although the country is at 25 per cent, there are great achievements so far when it comes to sanitation and preventing the spread of diseases, including Covid-19.

These achievements were in line with the inauguration of phase two of the Covid-19 Response Project by Water Aid in partnership with the Ministry of Health, BRALIRWA Plc, and the HEINEKEN Africa Foundation, held in Gahengeri sector, Rwamagana District.

The ceremony, on World Water Day, March 22, was under the theme ‘Groundwater, making the invisible visible’. World Water Day highlights the importance of fresh water and raises awareness for the 2.2 billion people living without access to safe water around the world. The day is used to advocate for the sustainable management of freshwater resources, and taking action to tackle the global water crisis.

A core focus of World Water Day is to support the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 6: Water and sanitation for all by 2030.

What are the milestones?

Alphonsine Mukamunana, an environmental health specialist at the Ministry of Health, says hand-washing is one of the best ways to prevent and stop the spread of Covid-19, and other diseases. 

In Rwanda, she says, the government has put a lot of effort when it comes to fighting Covid-19, and that hand-washing stations were among the facilities assembled in schools, health centres, communities, and markets across the country.

"There has also been a reduction of diarrhoeal diseases due to hand-washing,” she says.

Mukamunana notes that hand-washing can reduce the spread of some diseases, for instance, if you wash your hands with water and soap for 40 seconds, you prevent diarrhoeal diseases by up to 40 per cent.

Olutayo Bankole Bolawole, the regional director, Water Aid East Africa, says addressing issues related to water, sanitation, and hygiene requires synchronised efforts and strategies.

She says as one of the most effective measures to prevent the spread of Covid-19, there have been improved wash facilities in key locations while promoting hygiene behaviours, such as hand-washing with soap and water.

For instance, some of the achievements the communities and health facilities benefited from include seven healthcare facilities, which so far have been connected to water supply in Nyamagabe District.

Also, 10 permanent hand-washing facilities were built in Nyamagabe, Rwamagana, Bugesera as well as Nyaruguru districts, and as a result, 141,000 people gained access to clean water.

Solange Kamashana, a resident of Rwamagana District, says constructing washing facilities and making clean water available in the community has ensured the good health of their children.

She explains that they have also been educated on the importance of taking their children to the hospital in case of any health issue.

"Before, some parents would quickly resort to traditional healers whenever their children would fall sick, which we came to learn was putting our children at risk of developing other complications later in life,” she says.

The impact

Meanwhile, globally, over 700 children die every day from diarrheal diseases caused by unsafe drinking water, poor sanitation, and hand hygiene.

In Rwanda, diarrhoeal disease is the leading cause of death for children under five years in Rwanda, according to RDHS.

Mukamunana says diarrhoeal disease can undermine children’s physical and cognitive development mainly due to chronic malnutrition by exposure.

According to World Health Organization (WHO), poor sanitation is linked to the transmission of diarrhoeal diseases such as cholera and dysentery, as well as typhoid, intestinal worm infections, and polio.

It also aggravates stunting and contributes to the spread of antimicrobial resistance. Poor sanitation has also been linked to reduced human well-being and social and economic development due to influences such as anxiety, assault, and lost opportunities for education and work.

Mukamunana says the milestones are vital as distribution of water and sanitation to the community means there is improved good health among the people thus, the community is prevented from contracting diseases related to poor sanitation.