French Medical OFI-student volunteers taught the importance of Hand washing in SEVAI Shanthi Higher Secondary School.

School students learn hand wash process in SSMHSS-OFI Volunteers

Four OFI Health Volunteers from France understood School Health program in SEVAI Shanthi Higher Secondary School. They trained 400 students in proper Hand washing as Hand washing is one of the most important ways of controlling the spread of infections, especially those that cause diarrhoea and vomiting, and respiratory disease. OFI Health Volunteers oriented the students and teachers the importance of Hand washing through charts and one to one and one to group methods. The recommended method is the use of liquid soap, water, and towels. They taught the students, “Hand washing prevents communicable illness.Hand-washing is key to disease prevention, Kids don't always listen when you tell them to wash their hands before eating, after using the bathroom, or when they come inside from playing. But it's a message worth repeating — hand washing is by far the best way to prevent germs from spreading and to keep your kids from getting sick. Germs can be transmitted many ways, including: touching dirty hands, changing dirty diapers, through contaminated water and food, through droplets released during a cough or a sneeze, via contaminated surfaces, through contact with a sick person's body fluids. When kids come into contact with germs, they can unknowingly become infected simply by touching their eyes, nose, or mouth. And once they're infected, it's usually just a matter of time before the whole family comes down with the same illness. Good hand washing is the first line of defense against the spread of many illnesses, from the common cold to more serious illnesses such as meningitis, bronchitis most types of infectious diarrhea. Always wash hands after using the toilet, before eating or handling food, and after handling animals. Cover all cuts and abrasions with waterproof dressings. Washing hands frequently with soap and water, especially after coughing and sneezing will help reduce the risk from viruses. As young children are particularly at risk of catching and spreading gastro-intestinal and respiratory infection so the Agency has developed a resource pack to teach hand washing in schools, A scheduled hand-washing program will reduce acute communicable (gastrointestinal) illnesses in elementary school-age children”.Govin