Inhabitants of the Otjozondjupa Region joined the world on Tuesday to commemorate Global Handwashing Day and World Toilet Day at Otjiwarongo ‘ s DRC informal settlement . In a statement delivered on his behalf , Minister of Health and Social Services , Dr Kalumbi Shangula , noted that this year ‘ s event was held under the theme ” Why are clean hands still important and toilets a place of peace .” Shangula said that celebrating these two events jointly in Otjiwarongo underscores the integral link between hand hygiene and sanitation , which represents two sides of the same coin , health and dignity for all people . The minister highlighted that Namibia has made commendable progress in providing clean water to about 93 per cent of the population . ” The challenge now lies in making greater progress on sanitation , as open defecation and poor sanitation continue to pose challenges in rural areas ,” he said . Therefore , commemorating Global Handwashing Day and World Toilet Day as a country demonstrates a renewed
commitment to the health of all Namibian people . The Deputy UNICEF Country Representative , Toshiko Takahashi , stated that Global Handwashing Day is an annual worldwide advocacy event dedicated to increasing public awareness and understanding of the importance of washing hands with soap as an effective way to prevent disease transmission . The day was initiated in August 2008 in Sweden and became a global event on 15 October of the same year . Otjiwarongo Mayor , Gottlieb Shivute , said the commemoration of these two events serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of maintaining hygiene and ensuring access to sanitation . Several inhabitants of Otjozondjupa thanked the Ministry of Health and Social Services for organising the event , emphasising that cleanliness is essential for good hygiene . Carlos Joseph from Otjiwarongo said that all the messages delivered at the event focused on handwashing and maintaining a clean toilet , both of which are necessary in efforts to combat cholera and polio outbre
aks . (

Source: The Namibia Press Agency