Pakistan, a developing country, faces a poverty rate of 30–40%, contributing significantly to the prevalence of infectious diseases. Tragically, children bear the brunt of this health crisis, often losing their lives to preventable illnesses such as malaria, hepatitis, dengue, and diarrheal infections. These diseases spread quickly within communities, with children being the most vulnerable. As we observe Universal Children’s Day, it serves as a crucial reminder of our collective responsibility to protect the health and well-being of our children—especially those most at risk.
Causes and Prevention
The high prevalence of infectious diseases in Pakistan is driven by poor sanitation conditions, limited healthcare resources, and a lack of awareness about the severity of these diseases. Tackling these challenges requires more than just medical interventions—it requires empowering communities with knowledge and preventive practices that can safeguard children’s health.
One of the simplest and most effective ways to prevent the spread of harmful germs is through hand hygiene. Washing hands with soap and water is a powerful tool to stop infections from spreading and to ensure families stay healthy. Regular handwashing helps prevent harmful pathogens from entering the body through contaminated food, water, or surfaces, making it an essential practice for protecting children from preventable diseases.
Key Moments for Hand Hygiene
Public health officials stress the importance of washing hands at these critical moments:
- After coughing or sneezing
- Before feeding a child
- Before preparing food
- Before eating
- After using the toilet
The Role of Healthcare Organizations
On Universal Children’s Day, we highlight the critical role of preventing childhood illnesses and the vital contribution of healthcare organizations in this mission. ChildLife Foundation, a non-profit organization, provides quality emergency care to 2 million children annually, free of charge, around the clock, in over 300 public hospitals across Pakistan through its Emergency Rooms and Telemedicine Satellite Centres. Committed to improving pediatric emergency care, ChildLife emphasizes that prevention is far more effective than cure. Through comprehensive medical care in emergency rooms, ChildLife promotes essential preventive measures, including hygiene practices, to ensure the health and well-being of children.
ChildLife’s Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) protocols
include educating parents in Emergency Rooms about the significance of hand hygiene and other preventive measures. After treatment, parents receive ongoing health messages to reinforce good hygiene practices and remind them of the importance of maintaining health standards after discharge.
The Global Context
Globally, approximately 2 billion people lack access to hygiene facilities in their homes (WHO, UNICEF, 2023), a concerning statistic that disproportionately impacts vulnerable populations. Poor hand hygiene practices contribute to an increase in community-based infections, including skin, respiratory, and gastrointestinal diseases. Every year, 1.8 million children under the age of five die from diarrhea and pneumonia, the leading causes of death among young children worldwide. In Pakistan, around 400,000 children under five lose their lives annually due to preventable causes, according to UNICEF. Handwashing with soap could protect about one-third of children from diarrhea and nearly one-fifth from respiratory infections like pneumonia. Pakistan is among the 15 high-burden countries that contribute significantly to the global burden of pneumonia and diarrhea, where 70% of child deaths due to these preventable illnesses occur before the age of five (IVAC, 2021).
ChildLife’s Comprehensive Approach
ChildLife Foundation implements nationwide strategies as part of its Infection Prevention and Control protocols, with a strong focus on patient and staff safety. In addition to providing emergency medical care, they ensure that water supply and handwashing facilities are available in emergency rooms to maintain hygiene standards.
ChildLife also educates parents on proper handwashing techniques and the use of sanitizers when soap and water are not available. With their efforts, they aim to reduce the spread of infections in hospitals and empower communities to adopt life-saving hygiene practices.
Clean Hands for a Healthier Future
Hand hygiene is more critical now than ever before. Even after the COVID-19 pandemic, washing hands with soap and water remains one of the most effective ways to prevent infections and protect children’s health. The simple act of handwashing can make a profound difference in preventing illnesses that claim thousands of young lives each year.
As we observe Universal Children’s Day, let us reaffirm our commitment to ensuring that every child has the opportunity to live a healthy life. By embracing proper hand hygiene, we can work together to protect our children and create a healthier future for the next generation. It is our collective responsibility to promote and practice handwashing to protect children from preventable diseases.
Join us in this mission to save young lives. Clean hands save lives—let’s spread this message far and wide!
The author is Medical Director, ChildLife Foundation