A Consultant Pathologist at the Federal Teaching Hospital  Dr Veronica Chukwu, Abakaliki, said last Thursday that regular hand-washing with soap would prevent the contraction of transmittable diseases.

Chukwu told newsmen in an interview in Abakaliki that proper hand-washing would reduce the risk of germs’ infestation and prevent some transmittable diseases.

She said human hands perform series of activities and imbibing the habit of keeping them clean always was necessary to ensure personal hygiene and good health.

“A single hand-wash reduces thousands of germs without you knowing it, because people can shake hands with others without knowing what those people have done with their hands.

“It is important that people are encouraged to wash their hands regularly to maintain good and healthy living.

“If we imbibe such regular hygienic practice, we will save more lives than vaccines or any other medical intervention can do,’’ Chukwu said.

She recommended the use of medicated soaps, detergents and disinfectants for the washing of the hands, especially after using the toilets and before eating.

The pathologist noted that non-adherence to this simple health tip could result in serious medical complications such as respiratory, bacterial and fungal infections, among others.

“Research findings have shown that about 25 per cent of transmittable diseases are preventable through regular and proper hand-wash.

“I want to use this opportunity to call on the media, medical and health workers to embark on aggressive sensitisation and enlightenment campaign to educate the public on the benefits of regular hand-wash,’’ she said.

Chukwu said it was important for the general public to know that thousands of harmful microscopic germs inhabit the surface of the human palms.

“Only a thorough hand-wash can destroy them,’’ she said.