22/10/2014

Celebrating Global Hand Washing Day every 15th October, Lifebuoy strengthens their commitment to reach 70 million Healthy Hands Indonesia in 2015 through education and socialisation Hands Washing With Soap (HWWS)

Jakarta, October 22, 2014 - Celebrating Global Hand Washing Day every 15th October, Lifebuoy strengthens their commitment to reach 70 million Healthy Hands Indonesia in 2015 through education and socialisation Hands Washing With Soap (HWWS). Lifebuoy believes that HWWS could decrease the level of diarrhea prevelence and Acute Respiratory Infection.

Indriani, Senior Brand Manager Lifebuoy PT. Unilever Indonesia, Tbk said, "Global Hand Washing Day is a perfect moment for Lifebuoy to remind people again the importance of HWWS as one of  Healthy and Hygene Life Behaviours (HHLB). As a brand that concerns with health of Indonesian people, Lifebuoy consistently celebrates Global Hand Washing Day since 2008."

Furthermore, Indriani explained that Lifebuoy's commitment on socialising HWWS to Indonesian people is in line with government efforts to reach Millenium Development Goals target in 2015 by decreasing child under five years old mortality to below 32 deaths per 1000 live births. This commitment is also as realisation of Unilever Sustainable Living Plan strategy, which is Unilever global strategy to increase business doubled and at the same time reduce the impact caused to the environment and improve the benefits created for the community. 

Waila Wisjnu, Health, Wellbeing and Nutrition Program Manager Unilever Indonesia Foundation added, "Celebrating Global Hand Washing With Soap this time, Lifebuoy widen their range to 16 provinces in Indonesia by having a 21-Day Movement (21DM)  program that targeting primary school students and mothers through PKK program. 21DM aims to apply HWWS for 21 days non stop to make it as a daily habit. Lifebuoy reason continues to commit socialise HWWS is because it is a simple yet effective way in maintaining health, HWWS is proved to be contributing to reduce the prevalence of infants that are suffering from diarrhea from 9% in 2007 to 3.5% in 2013." 

Child Specialist dr. Ariani Dewi Widodo, Sp.A said, "HWWS with running water is proved can lower the risk of diarrhea up to 50% and Acute Respiratory Infection to 45% , so it is very important to educate the knowledge and habit of HWWS, most importantly to children and mothers. The application of HWWS in family can help reduce the rate of transmission of the disease especially in children under five years old which their body endurance is still weak."

Furthermore dr. Ariani explained, "I believe children and mothers can be the agent of change that help implant HWWS habit for other family members. So let's teach children to do HWWS before breakfast, lunch, dinner, while bathing, and after using the toilet. For mothers, it is also important to remember to do HWWS before eating, preparing baby/toddlers food, taking care of baby/toddlers and using soap while bathing."

Like every other previous years, celebration Global Hand Washing Day has done through partnership with government, LSM partners and private sectors such as PT. Trans Retail Indonesia (Carrefour). "PT. Trans Retail Indonesia (Transmart Carrefour) is one of retailers who care about the fulfillment of Indonesia children rights and and one of the initiators and founder of the Association Company Children Friend Indonesia (APSAI) who supports in targeting 70 million healthy Indonesian children through hand washing with soap in 2015. The same vision is the background of the partnership with PT. Trans Retail Indonesia with Unilever to always rise the quality life of Indonesian people especially mothers and children," added Adji Srihandoyo, Corporate Affairs Director, PT. Trans Retail Indonesia.

Fenita Arie, a celebrity and mother of two children, happily join the celebration of Global Hand Washing Day, "We are really happy to join the celebration of Global Hand Washing Day with Lifebuoy. We believe that HWWS is a simple behaviour that has lots of benefits especially for children. We fully support Lifebuoy to keep spread this good behaviour to lower risk children get infected with diarrhea and Acute Respiratory Infection."

"We hope through Global Hand Washing Day, community awareness to implement HWWS in five most important times will increase, and our commitment to reach 70 million hands healthy Indonesia in 2015 can be achieved," close Indri.

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