Hygiene awareness activities aim to keep communities healthy

Solomon Islands Ministry of Health issued a nationwide alert following an outbreak of diarrhoea that has affected nearly 1,000 people in six of the country’s nine provinces.  Authorities say 16 children have died due to extreme diarrhoea in the last two weeks.

The highly infectious Rotavirus has been confirmed as the main cause of these cases. Globally, rotavirus is the most common cause of severe gastroenteritis in early childhood. The virus is highly contagious and can easily be passed from person-to-person or through contaminated objects, food or drinks. 

World Vision is working with the Ministry of Health and other NGO partners as part of the Health Cluster to promote improved hygiene and sanitation practices in order to keep communities healthy.

Everyln Darcy, National Health Coordinator, said that World Vision has mobile hygiene education teams that are visiting communities and flood evacuation centres to promote proper hygiene practices and demonstrate good hand washing techniques.

“We are doing hand washing demonstrations and educating people about the importance of washing their hands with soap after going to the toilet and before preparing food and eating,” she said. “We are also telling people to go to the clinic at the first signs of diarrhoea.”

People are being urged to wash their hands with soap and use clean towels after going to the toilet and before handling food. Parents are also being advised to seek medical assistance early in order to prevent dehydration and complications associated with severe diarrhoea.

As part of the Health Cluster’s Health Promotion activities World Vision will be conducting hygiene awareness activities in its communities in seven area programs.