Safeguard Launches ‘Doctors On Wheels’

As part of activities to commemorate the 2012 Global Hand Washing Day (GHWD), Safeguard anti-bacterial soap has launched the Safeguard “Doctor on Wheels” programme. To spread the hand washing message even further, Safeguard antibacterial soap also partnered with the Society for Family Health (SFH) Nigeria to hold handwashing enlightenment campaigns across Nigeria.

Speaking at the launch of the programme in Ikotun market, the Territorial Manager for Society for Family Health (SFH), Lagos, Dr. Yinka Goodman,  addressed the gathering at the on the importance of hand washing.

The medical doctor stressed the importance of hand washing, noting that hand washing has become the singular most important preventive measure in the control of infection transmitted through the feaco-oral and via droplets.

She said SHF was collaborating with Procter and Gamble because they know that the battle against diarrhoeal diseases cannot be won alone, adding that hand washing remains key as treated water and well cooked meals can be contaminated by contaminated hands.

She said childhood death and illness could have been prevented, remarking that diarrhoeal and respiratory illnesses are responsible for high number of hospital visits among children.  Goodman said the fact remained that we cannot “over wash” our hands, because we go round with our hands and they make contacts daily even beyond what we can think, adding that SFH has carried out a lot of control of diarrhoeal diseases especially through purifying drinking water.

P&G’s Brand Integration operations manager, Mokutima Ajileye spoke on the new programme, saying; “Safeguard ‘Doctor on Wheels’ programme aims to touch and improve consumers’ lives by raising awareness about germs, giving education on the importance of good hygiene and disease prevention through regularly washing hands with soap.

The carefully designed programme features hygiene talks, hand washing demonstrations, basic health checks; and would enable qualified medical Doctors to have ‘one on one’ interactions with consumers.

—Henry Ojelu