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17 April 2025 Media Release: GRDM Environmental Health Practitioners promote healthier living at Formosa Primary School

Media Release: GRDM Environmental Health Practitioners promote healthier living at Formosa Primary School

For immediate release
17 April 2025

Environmental Health Practitioners (EHP) from the Garden Route District Municipality (GRDM) Bitou sub-office, Sophia Marthinus, Zoleka Goniwe and Nokuphiwa Mbali, recently conducted an awareness session at Formosa Primary school in commemoration of  World Health Day (7 April 2025).

A learner from Formosa Primary School in Bitou, eagerly participate in the handwashing demonstration conducted by Environmental Health Practitioners from Garden Route District Municipality.

While addressing Grade 1 learners regarding the purpose and importance of World Health Day, the team also understood the significance of conveying messages that are both age-appropriate and engaging.

The 2025 theme of World Health Day ‘Healthy beginnings, hopeful futures’ placed much emphasises on maternal and newborn health. While this theme focusing on mothers and infants, the communities and the public overall can adapt to the message of instilling foundational health habits in young children.​

The key topic ‘Personal Hygiene’ was presented during the programme with specific focus on topics including: When to wash hands and proper handwashing steps.

These awareness sessions are being conducted to prevent the outbreak of diseases. EHPs are committed to continuously reach out to various communities to conduct awareness and education programmes to prevent the spread of diseases and promote healthier living through proactive engagement, early detection, and community empowerment initiatives.

Personal Hygiene:

Handwashing: Teach the importance of washing hands with soap and water.

1. When to Wash Hands: Highlighted key times to wash hands:

    • Before eating or handling food.​
    • After using the toilet.​
    • After playing outside.​
    • After coughing, sneezing, or blowing their nose.​

2. Proper Handwashing Steps: Demonstrate the following steps:

    • Wet hands with clean, running water.​
    • Apply soap and lather well.​
    • Scrub all parts of the hands, including backs, between fingers, and under nails, for at least 20 seconds.​
    • Rinse thoroughly under running water.​
    • Dry hands using a clean towel or air dry them.

Feature Image: Learners from Formosa Primary School attentively observing the practical demonstrations during the presentations conducted by Environmental Health Practitioners from Garden Route District Municipality.

ENDS