ILOILO City – Officials of the Department of Health Center for Health Development (DOH-CHD) here emphasized the importance of proper handwashing in order to safeguard oneself from respiratory infections.
Dr. May Ann Sta. Lucia, DOH-6 Health Promotion Cluster head, said that applying proper methods of washing the hands is one of the best ways to protect individuals from getting diseases.
“You need to wash your hands for at least 20 seconds,” she said, adding that it is important to clean the hands regularly, by washing them with soap and water.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the following steps can be followed: wet hands with water; apply enough soap to cover all hand surfaces; rub hands palm to palm; put right palm over left dorsum with interlaced fingers and vice versa; put palm to the other with fingers interlaced; put backs of fingers to opposing palms with fingers interlocked; do rotational rubbing of left thumb clasped in right palm and vice versa; do rotational rubbing, backwards and forwards with clasped fingers of right hand in left palm and vice versa; rinse hands with water; dry thoroughly with single use towel; and use towel to turn off the faucet.
However, if soap and water are not currently available, Sta. Lucia said that a person can use an alcohol-based sanitizer.
She also encouraged the public to practice proper hygiene and proper coughing manners, to avoid getting into crowded places, to consume proper amounts of fruits and vegetables, and finally, to stay hydrated.(With a report from PIA/PN)
