By Eunice Orike
The Wellbeing Foundation Africa (WBFA) and Reckitt (Manufacturers of Dettol) has recently hosted a high-level stakeholder meeting to assess the progress and impact of the Dettol Hygiene Quest (DHQ) Program, across Lagos, Abuja and Kwara state.
The program, an extension of Reckitt’s Dettol Clean Naija Initiative, is part of its broader mission to make access to quality hygiene, wellness, and nourishment a right, not a privilege.
For over 12 years, Reckitt has championed public health through programs like the Dettol School Hygiene Program and Dettol New Mum’s Program, which have educated millions of children and mothers on proper hand hygiene.
In 2021, Reckitt introduced Dettol Hygiene Quest, a structured hygiene curriculum designed to educate and inspire six million school children by 2025, aiming for a 20% increase in hand washing, a 10% reduction in diarrhea-related illnesses, and a 10% decrease in school absenteeism.
The meeting brought together government officials, community leaders, and health advocates to discuss the crucial role of hygiene in public health and education.
In an opening remarks, Director of Programs and Reporting, Mr. Williams Awotunde emphasized the importance of education in promoting hygiene practices.
“This is not just about teaching children how to wash their hands, it’s about instilling life-saving practices, empowering individuals, and creating a cultural shift towards health and hygiene”, he said.
He also highlighted the need for hygiene education to be included in the national curriculum.
Mrs. Cassandra Uzo-Ogbuh, representing Reckitt Nigeria, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to public health through initiatives like the Dettol School Program.
She emphasized the importance of adopting good hygiene practices as a lifestyle, stating that many diseases can be prevented by proper hand washing habits and wide-scale hygiene education.
The Lagos State Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Mr. Jamiu Tolani, praised the Hygiene Quest Project for fostering improved sanitation in schools.
He advocated for the inclusion of hygiene education in the national curriculum, emphasizing its potential to reduce absenteeism and enhance academic performance.
Traditional and community leaders shared testimonies of the positive impact of hygiene education in their communities.
Furthermore, the National program manager of the Wellbeing Foundation Africa, Mr. Kehinde Akinsola, provided an overview of the Dettol Hygiene Quest since its launch.
He highlighted its impact through school and community engagement, strategic partnerships, and sustainability efforts.
His presentation revealed that the program had already reached 238,235 individuals in the three pilot states, surpassing its annual target by 122%.
Akinsola also outlined the key objectives of the program which includes:Improving hygiene practices, reducing preventable illnesses and promoting healthy habits,enhancing school attendance and academic performance,improving student outcomes through better health, empowering communities and supporting sustainable development goals and Promoting community-led initiatives
He also shared that nurse educators actively visit schools to teach children about microbes, handwashing, and hygiene using the program’s education curriculum.
A key panel session focused on embedding hand washing and hygiene education into the national education curriculum.
Experts and policymakers discussed the framework needed for its implementation, with many stakeholders expressing support for government-led initiatives to institutionalize hygiene education in schools.
However, the stakeholders called for a strong consensus on the need for multi-sectoral collaboration to promote hygiene education in schools and communities.
They also emphasized that sustainable hygiene practices are essential to reducing disease prevalence, improving school attendance, and increasing national development.
Reckitt Nigeria and the Wellbeing Foundation Africa reaffirmed their commitment to creating a healthier future through education, advocacy, and strategic partnerships.
