Dettol Unveils the Power of Hygiene Practices in Conjunction of Global Handwashing Day

I attended the event "From Clean Hands to Strong Defences: Dettol Unveils the Power of Hygiene Practices", in conjunction of Global Handwashing Day. The event took place at Sheraton Petaling Jaya Hotel on 12th of October.

To celebrate the Global Handwashing Day in 2023, Dettol joined forces with the Ministry of Health (MOH), the Global Hygiene Council (GHC), infectious disease specialist Professor Dr. Zamberi Sekawi, and Watsons for an educational panel discussion. Participants shared their perspectives on the significance of better hygiene practises and put local and global public health landscapes into context. This collaborative effort by leading health professionals aims to assist the Madani Afiat project of the Ministry of Health in promoting the adoption of more efficient hygiene and handwashing habits throughout Malaysia.

During the discussion, it was found that despite persistent handwashing being the single most effective preventative intervention, communicable diseases are on the rise as comprehensive handwashing and hygiene practises acquired during the COVID-19 pandemic are waning. The panel also emphasised how the effects of a changing climate and the development of infectious illnesses are both getting worse.

Tiffany Tang, Marketing Director for Health, Malaysia and Singapore for Reckitt giving her speech at the event.

According to GHC Chair Professor Emerita Elizabeth Scott, there has never been a time when the destructive effects of infectious illnesses on society are more obvious. The'silent pandemic' of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), which is acknowledged as one of the biggest risks to human health, is still going strong while the COVID-19 epidemic shows indications of ending. 4.95 million individuals are predicted to have died in 2019 as a result of drug-resistant bacterial illnesses. By 2050, this number could reach 10 million deaths annually, with common procedures like caesarean sections bearing higher risks if nothing is done to curb the spread of AMR.

Professor Dr Elizabeth Scott, Chair of The Global Hygiene Council speaking at the event about the hygiene behaviours global insights.

The GHC acknowledges that hygiene practises like handwashing provide an approachable way to combat AMR by lowering the risk of infection and the requirement for medications. Hand washing has been demonstrated to minimise the need for antibiotic prescriptions in children with respiratory infections by 30% and prevent the 1 in 3 children who suffer from diarrhoea. In light of this, the GHC calls on governments and decision-makers to prioritise cleanliness in order to save millions of lives.

“In the battle against infectious diseases, good hygiene practices are our first line of defence. The recent global challenges posed by infectious diseases have underscored the urgency of adhering to these basic yet effective measures. Locally, the top five most common infections since 2021 are COVID-19, Dengue fever, Tuberculosis, food poisoning and Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD), three of which can be mitigated through the practice of good hand hygiene. By incorporating good hygiene into our daily routines and promoting its importance within our communities, we can collectively mitigate the spread of infectious diseases and build a healthier, more resilient society," added Prof Zamberi.

A wide range of hygiene products offered by Dettol.

Dettol, a company known for its superior germ protection, has partnered with the MOH to spread awareness of better hygiene practises throughout the country in order to address this ongoing problem. This initiative is part of the MOH's Madani Afiat programme, which was created as a vehicle for educating the public about essential hygiene and disease prevention information.

The collaborative effort, which is taking the helm to support and drive the Madani Afiat health agenda, intends to highlight the brand's primary missions of saving lives, easing the burden of sickness, and promoting behaviour change that establishes lifetime cleanliness habits. This initiative was based on Dettol's ongoing "Hygiene Quest" curriculum, a public awareness campaign that has so far involved 250,000 students and aims to reach 4 million students by 2024. The goal of this campaign is to instill effective hygiene habits in schoolchildren by disseminating important knowledge about handwashing techniques. This partnership marks a critical turning point in the brand and the Ministry's combined aim to lower school absences and develop enduring hygiene habits through a variety of platforms and local consumer interaction.

From left: Dr Ho Bee Kiau, Ministry of Health, Family Physician Medical Specialist; Professor Dr Elizabeth Scott, Chair of The Global Hygiene Council; Professor Dr Zamberi Sekawi, Professor and Senior Consultant Clinical Microbiologist, University Putra Malaysia; Tiffany Tang, Marketing Director for Health, Malaysia and Singapore for Reckitt; Danny Hoh, General Manager, Marketing & Customer Growth for Watsons Malaysia. 

"Good hygiene practices are the cornerstone of a healthier society. They form the first line of defence against preventable diseases and play a vital role in safeguarding public health. By embracing proper hygiene habits, we fortify our collective resilience, nurturing a safer and more vibrant community for all,” said Dr. Ho Bee Kiau from the MOH.

We are thrilled to be able to engage with important stakeholders and leaders in the health business, said Tiffany Tang, Marketing Director for Health, Malaysia and Singapore for Reckitt. We can provide the general public with accurate and thorough information about forming better hygiene habits by collaborating closely with these specialists. Since 80% of germs are transmitted by the hands and one hand has the capacity to contaminate up to seven surfaces, practising good hand hygiene is the easiest and most efficient strategy to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. By making this a top priority, we can lower the burden of sickness by providing communities with the best tools possible to encourage lasting behavioural changes and good hygiene habits.

From left: Professor Dr Elizabeth Scott, Chair of The Global Hygiene Council; Professor Dr Zamberi Sekawi, Professor and Senior Consultant Clinical Microbiologist, University Putra Malaysia; Tiffany Tang, Marketing Director for Health, Malaysia and Singapore for Reckitt; Dr Ho Bee Kiau, Ministry of Health, Family Physician Medical Specialist; Danny Hoh, General Manager, Marketing & Customer Growth for Watsons Malaysia. 

Dettol sent its dedicated e-hailing motorcyclists, the Dettol Hygiene Crew, to various communities with essential hygiene kits filled with Dettol hand sanitizer to further encourage the adoption of improved hygiene practises. To mark Global Handwashing Day and symbolise their commitment to promoting hygiene awareness, Dettol introduced its inaugural "Hygiene Hour." With a goal of teaching over 500,000 customers in six months, the company has also worked with Watsons, Malaysia's No. 1 online and offline Health & Beauty Retailer, to help enforce handwashing and efficient hygiene practises throughout 700 locations.

From left: Tiffany Tang, Marketing Director for Health, Malaysia and Singapore for Reckitt; Christopher Wong, Chief Operating Officer, Malaysia Book of Records.

Dettol was also given the Malaysian Book of Records certification at the Global Handwashing Day event after achieving the Largest Children Participation in A Hand Washing Awareness Session, which saw 4865 school children join the initiative. This achievement reaffirmed the brand's commitment to fostering a healthier Malaysia.

.: Peace Out :.