The practice of hand washing with soap tops the international hygiene agenda. This year with the first-ever Global Hand washing Day, slated for Wednesday, October 15, 2008. The UN General Assembly has designated 2008 the International Year of Sanitation, and Global Hand washing Day will echo and reinforce its call for improved hygiene practices.

Hand washing with soap is among the most effective and inexpensive ways to prevent diarrheal diseases and pneumonia, which together are responsible for the majority of child deaths. Every year, more than 3.5 million children do not live to celebrate their fifth birthday because of diarrhea and pneumonia. Yet, despite its lifesaving potential, hand washing with soap is seldom practiced and not always easy to promote.

Global Hand washing Day will be the centerpiece of a week of activities that will mobilize millions of people in more than 20 countries across five continents to
wash their hands with soap.

IDSP “Sehat –o-safai” School Program promotes hand washing awareness and brings about habit change at the grassroots level in Pakistan by becoming an ally in empowering children with health and hygiene education. The School Program has empowered more than 5 million school children between the ages of 6 and 11 years with hygiene education over the last four years. To date, this program has covered more than 10,000 schools in 100 cities of Pakistan.

IDSP is grateful to all collaborators and stake holders and specially Pakistan Medical Association, UNICEF, Procter & Gamble Safeguard school programme and the Ministry of Environment for its support.

A colorful event took place at the Indus hospital, Korangi where 400 children, teachers and doctors gathered to celebrate Global Hand Washing Day. Children were told when and how to wash hands. IDSP president Dr. Altaf Ahmed lead the program, Dr.Zafar Zaidi, Medical Director of Indus Hospital together with Dr. Lubna Samad, Dr. Farhana and Dr Samrina Hashmi of PMA addressed the children and supported the program.