ArmandoDiaz Health Info Center

MILLIONS children in developing countries die from diarrhea and acute respiratory infections (ARI). Meanwhile, children who grow up in poor areas die at risk 10 times greater than those who live in wealthy areas.

Seeing this phenomenon, washing hands with soap can be a powerful resistance. The reason is, wash hands with water alone is not enough. The habit of washing hands with soap can prevent diseases that cause the death of millions of children every year.

With that awareness, millions of people around the world simultaneously washing hands with soap, Thursday (15/10). Millions of Indonesian children were excited to practice healthy behaviors is clean life. Dirty hands is a gate of a variety of infectious diseases.

Among other organs, the hands are the organs most often in contact with all things in public places. Every day, even every minute hands can be contaminated with germs, whenever and wherever.

United Nations (UN) has set October 15 as the Day Handwashing World. These activities mobilize millions of people across five continents to wash their hands with soap. The larger culture wash hands with soap would make a significant contribution to meet the target of Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) of reducing the mortality rate of children under the age of five years in 2015 to around 70 percent.

“HCTPSS activity is very important for Indonesia considering the health condition of our society in general are still very concerned about such high rates of mortality and morbidity due to diseases related to water, sanitation and hygienic behavior and healthy. Washing hands with soap has been proven effective and inexpensive to prevent diarrhea and related diseases hygienic behavior and healthy, “said Brand Building for Lifebuoy Indonesia Odang Riri.

More than one million Indonesian children and millions of other people do a washing hands with soap at the same time nationally at 10.00 Indonesian time of day Baratpada Handwashing Worldwide (HCTPSS) established the United Nations on October 15. This activity is a significant momentum to raise public awareness of washing hands with soap is proven to be effective health care.

HCTPSS activities held in Jakarta on SDN 12 Pagi Bendungan Hilir, Central Jakarta which was attended by various groups of government officials, officials of Jakarta, educators, school children, Lifebuoy partners to the general public.

The event was attended, among others, Emmy Rachmawati, Acting Executive Task (Plt) Deputy for Child Protection Ministry of Women Empowerment, Naydial Roesdal, (Plt) Expert Staff of Minister of Health Sector Institutional Capacity Building and Decentralization Ministry of Health, Endang Hariyanto, Secretary of Working Group IV Team PKK Center, Hadi Supeno, Chairman of the Indonesian Child Protection Commission, Sinta Kaniawati, General Manager of Yayasan Unilever Indonesia, Anggiaswari (Riri) Odang, Brand Building Indonesia for Lifebuoy.

In 2009, HCTPSS focused on children and the school environment, because the idea originated from HCTPSS problems arising in the scope of the school and the children, where children are the ultimate sufferers from diarrhea and respiratory diseases that often lead to death. However, based on the research also shows that children are the elements of society’s most energetic, enthusiastic, and open to new ideas, and often children or young people become part of the solution.

“In this important case is also used washing hands with soap at five an important occasion, when a shower, before breakfast, before lunch, before dinner, and after using the toilet,” Riri said.

In Indonesia, PT Unilever Indonesia Tbk. through one brandnya Lifebuoy with several parties such as the Ministry of Women Empowerment RI (KPP), the Ministry of Health (MOH), Indonesian Child Protection Commission (KPAI), Team Empowerment Family Welfare Activator (PKK) Center, a number of nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), and the media join hands to hold and succeeding HCTPSS 2009 in Indonesia.

HCTPSS held simultaneously in nine major cities and supported by 20 cities / regencies eligible children, the PKK in 33 provinces in Indonesia, KPAI and a number of NGOs in the region.

HCTPSS momentum is expected to be important to improve the behavior of washing hands with soap, especially at this crucial moment five. Civilizing hand washing with soap is a simple effort can produce big leap for the health of the Indonesian people, especially the next generation, the children of Indonesia.

ARE you ready to face the rainy season this year? What kind of preparation and anticipation you deal with the rainy season? Remember, the rainy season just is not identical with the floods, but also disease. There are several diseases that often occur during this season, including sinusitis, flu, dengue fever, and diarrhea. Here are some tips to avoid disease that often haunt you during the rainy season.

Prevent Sinusitis

- diligent in washing hands. This simple action proved effective for reducing the risk of contracting respiratory diseases. As far as possible avoid contact with those who were exposed to a cold cough.

- When you use air conditioning, clean frequently penyaringnya to dust, mold, and various things that may trigger allergies can be reduced. Likewise, the carpet and sofa.

- Eating food and warm drinks, especially the four healthy menu five perfect.

- Avoid smoking and try to breathe the air in the morning while exercising.

- Wear a raincoat or an umbrella when it rains. Use masks when in pollution-prone areas.

Prevent Flu

- Rest enough. Get plenty of rest will strengthen the immune system.

- Wash your hands. Washing your hands is very important to avoid infection. Some of the flu virus spreads through direct contact. So, wash your hands frequently with soap and, if possible, with warm water.

- Avoid contact with the patient. Flu virus also spread through the air and saliva. Therefore, avoiding close range encounter with flu patients.

- Eat foods with nutrient-balanced. Consumption of foods containing phytochemicals. Phytochemicals are natural chemicals in plants that have given vitamins in foods. This type of substance found in fruits and vegetables fresh green, red and dark yellow.

- Exercise regularly. yourself to exercise. No need to exercise. What is important to regularly, such as jogging or moderate exercise.

- Do not smoke. Heavy smokers more vulnerable to flu. Cigarette smoke can cause the respiratory system dry, making it easier to have a virus.

- Drink plenty of water. Water serves up toxins in the body. Adults need eight glasses of water a day.

- Prevent dengue fever. Tub or water reservoirs should be covered to prevent mosquitoes lay their eggs on the spot and drained at least twice a week, so that the mosquito eggs hatch into larvae do not.

- Kill mosquitoes with insect repellent before going to sleep, or you can use rubbing mosquito.

- Keep neatness. Do not hang clothes. Better to fold it, because clothes can be hung hiding place Aedes aegypti mosquito. Clean every day table and drawers in your room. Dispose of paper not used for a dirty desk drawer and unkempt nest can also be a mosquito.

- Abatisasi. abate powder is sprinkled on the places where the water reservoir. Abatisasi be repeated every 2-3 months. Abate is not harmful to humans. Abatisasi only in places where stagnant water, such as bathtubs, flower vase, and a small ditch. Do not sprinkle abate the water flowing. Abate also well spread to places that are difficult water drained or cleaned.

Prevent Diarrhea

- Familiarize yourself to maintain hygiene by washing hands and feet after traveling.

- Wear footwear to prevent the spread and entry of dirt or parasites through the skin.

- Do not buy food at any place.

- Clean the gutters, especially clogged, remove the garbage in its place.

- Expand vitamins and nutritional intake to maintain body condition.

- Provide oralit always at home.