Global Handwashing Day 2026: Latehar school teaches students seven steps of hand hygiene
THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK Daltonganj, October 16: Global Handwashing Day was observed at the Upgraded High School in Chandandeeh, Latehar, on Thursday,…
Students learn the handwashing steps demonstrated under the “Suman K technique” at a school in Latehar.
THE JHARKHAND STORY NETWORK
Daltonganj, October 16: Global Handwashing Day was observed at the Upgraded High School in Chandandeeh, Latehar, on Thursday, October 15, to raise awareness among students about the importance of proper hand hygiene and its role in preventing diseases.
The programme focused on encouraging children to adopt regular handwashing habits and understand how clean hands can help protect them from infections.
‘Be a Handwashing Hero’: 2026 Theme
Global Handwashing Day is observed annually on October 15. The theme for 2026 is “Be a Handwashing Hero,” highlighting the importance of making handwashing with soap a regular part of everyday life.
Latehar District Education Officer Gautam K. Sahu said the initiative aimed to promote handwashing habits among students and educate them about the health risks associated with poor hygiene.
Students Learn Seven Steps of Handwashing
During the programme, students were provided with soap and water and shown how to wash their hands properly. According to Sahu, the demonstration covered seven steps, referred to in the programme as the “Suman K technique”.
The steps include washing the palms, the backs of the hands, the backs of the fingers, between the fingers, the thumbs, the fingertips and the wrists, followed by rinsing. The entire process takes approximately 40 to 60 seconds.
Students participated enthusiastically in the demonstration. Some acknowledged that they had not previously considered handwashing a priority and were unaware that poor hand hygiene could contribute to stomach-related illnesses, Sahu said.
Hand Hygiene Remains Key to Disease Prevention
The programme also highlighted the wider importance of hand hygiene in preventing the spread of infections. Hand sanitisers became widely used during the COVID-19 pandemic, when people across different sections of society adopted additional hygiene measures.
Hospitals, offices, shopping malls, hotels and restaurants also expanded access to hand hygiene facilities during that period.
Global Handwashing Day promotes handwashing with soap as a simple and effective public health practice that can help prevent diseases and improve community health.
