Hands washing. (Courtesy).

A medical doctor in Juba has encouraged the public to practice handwashing to prevent transmittable diseases.

According to the US Center of Disease Control and Prevention, washing hands “can keep you healthy and prevent the spread of respiratory and diarrheal infections.”

Dr Abak Rafael, an Emergency and Critical Care Doctor advises that washing hands thoroughly with soap and water, as well as drinking safe water is instrumental in fighting the transmitted diseases.

“Washing hands is very important after using the latrine and also before you touch the food, you need like to wash your hands properly with soap.”

“For you to save your life and to protect your life from those transmitted diseases like contaminated diseases through oral feces contaminated food.”

Dr. Abak also emphasized on the consumption of safe and treated water.

She said safe water for drinking and household choirs can be obtained through proper usage of chlorine chemicals and boiling.

“We have to consider taking safe water at home, we need as individuals at home like to consider taking or consuming safe water and washing hands,” she said.

The medic further encourages schools and public places to provide handwashing facilities beneath the pit latrines and toilets to allow users clean hands immediately after use.

She also appealed to parents and caregivers to educate their children on the essentials of handwashing through regular practice of hygiene.

“For those children when they use the latrines, they make it as a habit, they see the water in front of them and they see the soap, they go and wash the hands before they go and play with other students or other friends or other colleagues in the school”.