By Orchestra Kamanga

Blantyre City Council (BCC) on October 24 joined the Global to commemorate the Global Washing Day under the theme ”Clean hands for all” which took place at St Pius Primary School ground which encourages the community to wash hands after visiting the toilets .

Speaking during the 2019 celebrations Deputy Mayor for BCC Joseph Makwinja said the main purpose of the commemoration is to give awareness to the community on the importance of washing hands after visiting toilets and before eating any food to prevent diseases.

“According to research conducted 40 million people worldwide die because of preventable disease like cholera so it is very important to wash our hands with soap after vising the toilets,” he said.

Makwinja further said many children are dying with preventable disease like cholera and we need to finds ways how to prevent it.

Parliamentarian for the area (Blantyre City South) Noel Lipipa urged the community to keep hygiene to avoid suffering from preventable diseases especial during the rainy season.

“As we are approaching rainy season it’s very important to observe the hygiene and to keep the city clean always so that should not register cholera diseases in our community,” he said.

Former United Transformation Movement (UTM) Ward Councilor for Soche East Aaron Chimbanga said he took the advantage the commemoration to urge the Council to sent vehicle to remove the cabbage (waste) every week to keep the ward clean.

“I am happy that the celebrations took place in my Ward especially at St Pius because is where I learn my primary school at Standard 8 A. This will encourage the pupils to wash their hands after visiting the toilets,” he said.

The Global commemoration takes place every October 15 but BCC held on October 24.