Hand-hygiene behavioral prompts pushed

THE city will soon institutionalize the maintenance of handwashing behavioral prompts to encourage consistent good hygiene practices and support behavior change among residents.

This, after the City Council committee on health, nutrition, health insurance, chaired by Councilor Paolo Nicolo Gaane, favorably supported and endorsed the approval of the proposed ordinance to the committee on laws and rules.

This ordinance seeks for the provision of functioning handwashing facilities with soap and water or sanitation stations with alcohol-based hand rub dispensers in priority settings such as schools, offices and workplaces, public markets and grocery stores, food and service establishments, temporary shelters and evacuation centers.

They will also be put up in public spaces like malls, hotels, and other accommodations, transport terminals and ports of entry, historical and heritage sites, local tourist destinations, sports, and recreational spaces.

During the meeting, a representative of DOH praised the move, emphasizing that behavioral nudges can serve as an effective tool in promoting preventive health.

“This approach is really helpful to the city, which can lead to a decrease in chronic diseases and improve the health of the community,” she said.

The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Department of Health (DOH) highly encourage the improvement of handwashing facilities and the use of proven behavior-change techniques to reduce transmission of infectious disease. (JBD/SP)