Unite for Universal Hand Hygiene. Calls on Community to Practice Prevention

GREAT BAY, Sint Maarten (DCOMM) – The Collective Prevention Services (CPS), a department from the Sint Maarten Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labor, advises the Sint Maarten community to practice prevention measures as the world observes Global Handwashing Day on Saturday, October 15 under the banner, “Unite for Universal Hand Hygiene.”

Global Handwashing Day is dedicated to increasing awareness and understanding about the importance of handwashing with soap as an effective and affordable way to prevent diseases and save lives.

Washing hands often reduces the transmission of respiratory illnesses such as the flu, common cold and COVID-19.

It is also very important to wash hands with soap before cooking or preparing food, before eating, and before feeding someone (including breastfeeding) or taking care of others ill or not.
Help children to stay healthy by teaching them about handwashing and show them how proper handwashing is done.

Many infections start when hands are contaminated with disease-causing bacteria and viruses. This can happen after using the toilet, changing a child’s diaper, coughing, sneezing, touching other people’s hands, and touching other contaminated surfaces.

Handwashing with soap works by removing bacteria and viruses from hands before they get a chance to cause infections or spread to other people. Handwashing stops the spread of germs!

Join CPS in their efforts to continue to promote proper handwashing in your home, school or workplace.

For more information, you can call CPS 914, 542-1122 or email surveillance@sintmaartengov.org