Team News Riveting
Raipur, November 29
Amity University Chhattisgarh organized a ‘Round Table Discussion on ‘Hand Hygiene- The Road Map’ in collaboration with UNICEF and SAMARTH charitable trust to assess, sensitize and brainstorm the impediments and the facilitators for ensuring hand hygiene through the handwash facilities at the institutions.
The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the importance of handwashing with soap as a critical preventive measure. There is an urgent need, and it is critical to ensure universal access to handwashing facilities, with soap and water, and promote change in hand hygiene behaviors as part of the water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) targets under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Educational institutions play a critical role in molding the behavior of young citizens. The effort is to inculcate and brief the inclusive development contributing towards the increasing awareness of hand hygiene.
The event started with the welcome address of Prof. Sumita Dave, Director ABS. VC, Prof. Rajendra Kumar Pandey, AUC addressed the august gathering by saying, “It is an age-old practice and looking at the present situation, we should start practicing it once again.” Job Zachariah, Chief, UNICEF Chhattisgarh said they had been conducting various such workshops and initiatives to create awareness among the people and were sure that with institutional support they would be able to achieve the goal. Hand Wash Demonstration was given by Samarth Charitable Trust followed by the note on ‘The Way Forward’ by Ms. Sweta Patnaik in presence of other dignitaries of Amity University Chhattisgarh.
The day was followed by Group discussion and sharing of thoughts by the participants from schools, colleges, and Universities from both Urban and Rural areas. The occasion was graced by the participation of more than 20 institutions from across the region. The participants enthusiastically enlighten their thoughts by discussion and brainstorming session on the theme of ‘Washing facilities available in the institutions’ along with the grey water management which has become a vital concern in today’s era of pandemic. The major focus was given on the issues and challenges faced by them in understanding the correct method of hand hygiene and grey water management also corrective measures were discussed for the same. The inventiveness was to pave way towards long relation with UNICEF in context of child and women health along with hand wash and sanitization.
Dr. Dileep Singh proposed the vote of thanks. It was daylong event and faculty members along with students at the university were present during the event.