Paulina Quintao – Washing hands before eating is very important for the prevention of infectious and other diseases but most Timorese are still used to it.
The General Director of the National Hospital Guido Valadares, Dr Jose Antonio said the act of washing hands is a basic behaviour that children should be taught by parents but this does not yet take place.
"The ministry of health must continue to promote washing hands to the community because this habit does not yet exist," he said during the celebrations of the global hand washing day held at the National Hospital Guido Valadares (NHGV), Dili.
He added that washing hands can prevent infections and other diseases such as diarrhoea, and different types of respiratory infections because these are caused by bacteria in hands.
He also urged people to also wash their hands before preparing food. "In Timor diarrhoea kills our children," he said.
Meanwhile, the Manager of Lisun Company, Rut Hutomo said she was happy that the hand washing campaign was held in Timor-Leste and with government support. "Washing hands is easy and it has a big impact on people's lives," he said.
He added that in 2016, his company distributed 1000 bars of soap to schools including to some health facilities so that students are encouraged to wash their hands.
Meanwhile resident Rosaria Martins said the community did not just chose to ignore the habit of washing hands but there are water shortages to prevent them from leading a healthier life.
"We can teach people about hygiene and to wash their hands but people say they have to choose between water for drinking and water to wash hands," she said.
She urged more investment in the water sector so that more people and communities across the country have better access to clean water.