Over 3 million Tanzanians to wash hands in World Toilet Day honour

More than three million Tanzanians are expected to wash their hands tomorrow in commemoration of the World Toilet Day, Hand Washing and Sanitation Week.

The principal Health officer from the ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Mr Stephen Kiberiti, said education among communities was still a challenge as many people were yet to learn about improved toilets and hand washing practices. However, he noted, in recent years there have been efforts to ensure more people accessed improved toilets even though hand-washing was still lagging behind.

He said the use of improved toilets went hand in hand with cleaning of hands for hygienic purposes. He noted, however, that it had been difficult for most people to practice it because they tended to wash their hands only when they were totally dirty or after their meals.

“It is good that people are increasingly building better washrooms; though some still have no washing facilities. But we have been emphasising washing hands because they can be contaminated even without one’s notice,” Mr Kiberiti 

He said current reports showing that 12 per cent of Tanzanians have better-quality toilets was good but added that more efforts were needed to improve the number to at least 50 per cent by 2015.

He said the move has positively impacted on the communities’ health.