The Borno Government says it is intensifying efforts to promote proper handwashing and hygiene practices in schools and communities to prevent infections and improve public health.
Mr Hassan Malgwi, the State Coordinator for Neglected Tropical Diseases at the Ministry of Health and Human Services, disclosed this in an interview with reporters in Maiduguri on Wednesday.
Malgwi said the government had organised awareness campaigns to mark the 2026 Global Handwashing Day, with support from Helen Keller International and other development partners.
According to him, washing hands with soap and clean water remains one of the simplest and most effective ways to prevent infections and protect individuals, families and communities.
He said the 2026 theme, “Action Saves Lives – Clean Your Hands,” emphasised the need to make handwashing a daily practice rather than something observed only on special occasions.
Malgwi explained that poor hand hygiene could facilitate the spread of germs, leading to diarrhoeal diseases, respiratory infections and other preventable illnesses.
He advised residents to wash their hands with soap and clean running water after using the toilet, cleaning children or handling waste, and before preparing or eating food, or feeding children.
The coordinator stressed that effective hygiene promotion required access to safe water, sanitation facilities and functional handwashing stations, particularly in underserved communities.
He added that handwashing should complement other hygiene measures, including facial cleanliness and environmental sanitation, especially in communities affected by trachoma.
Malgwi urged parents and caregivers to teach children proper handwashing from an early age. He also called on schools and health facilities to provide functional handwashing stations.
He urged traditional and religious leaders to mobilise their communities to adopt safe hygiene practices.
Malgwi emphasised the need for sustained collaboration among government agencies, development partners, schools and community leaders to integrate hygiene promotion into routine public health interventions.
“Clean hands save lives. Let us make handwashing a habit, not just a celebration,” he said.
