United Nations Childrens Fund (UNICEF) has installed 44 handwashing stations in 22 schools of the Maldives.
The handwashing stations were installed on the occasion of Global Handwashing Day, marked annually on October 15. The handwashing stations were officially inaugurated by Minister of Education Dr. Aishath Ali and Representative of UNICEF to the Maldives Dr. Mohamed El-Munir A. Safeldin, during a special ceremony held at the education ministry.
Along with the handwashing stations, UNICEF also donated infection control equipment as part of efforts to control the spread of COVID-19. During the ceremony, UNICEF also launched two special posters aimed at promoting hand hygiene among local students.
Global Handwashing Day has been marked every year since 2008. The theme for this year’s Global Handwashing Day is Hand Hygiene for All.
The activities for this year’s Global Handwashing Day are more significant compared to other years, due to the importance of hand hygiene to control the spread of COVID-19. Frequent washing of hands is one of the most important personal safety measures to be taken amid the COVID-19 pandemic.