Health ministry marks Global Handwashing Day in Kabul

The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) says washing hands with soap and water can prevent the spread of deadly and dangerous diseases, especially among children.

Marking Global Handwashing Day in Kabul on Sunday, the health ministry said that more than 3.5 million children suffered from diarrhea in 1401 solar year and nearly 2.5 million others were diagnosed with pneumonia.

Health officials said that one of the main factors is the non-observance of hygiene.

“According to public health statistics, more than 3.5 million children suffered from diarrhea in 1401 and nearly 2.5 million children suffered from pneumonia,” said Babrak Zakhmi, a representative of the health ministry.

Meanwhile, the officials of the Ministry of Education, Rehabilitation and Rural Development emphasized that the people should be educated on the importance of washing hands by religious scholars, school teachers and madrassas across the country, especially in remote areas.

Simultaneously, a nationwide deworming campaign also started on Sunday in schools across the country, officials said.

Health officials stated that the campaign will last for 10 days and students from the first to the twelfth grade will be dewormed.