Touchless hand washing devices tested in 1,000 households in Analanjirofo to control the spread of COVID-19 and adopt sustainable hygiene practice

Fénérive-Est, August 31, 2020: The Analanjirofo Region, on the east coast of Madagascar, is developing innovations to better control the spread of COVID-19 in its four districts: Fénerive-Est, Soanierana Ivongo, Sainte Marie and Vavatenina. Launched on Monday, August 31, 2020, the regional campaign "Fandio Tsotra" – literally meaning “simple hand washing kit” – scales up contactless hand washing devices (DLM) with a rainwater collection system tested by UNICEF and its partners. This device involves users in the practice of one of the essential barrier gestures in the prevention and control of infections, through hand washing among the entire population. But above all, the device is meant to ensure no one touches the tap during hand washing.
 
There were many cases of COVID-19 in the Analanjirofo Region. This innovative interministerial campaign led by the Regional Department of Water, Hygiene and Sanitation, with the support of UNICEF will strengthen the dissemination of messages and barrier gestures, limit the spread of the virus and promote volunteer activities for common interests. Indeed, youth associations will monitor activities locally.

UNICEF’s support consists in providing 1 000 contactless DLM packages with a rainwater collection system and 1 000 bars of soap to 1 000 households in the city of Fénerive-Est, to start with. UNICEF has also developed 300 tutorials for producing contactless DLM with a rainwater harvesting system which will be distributed to households. To follow-up the implementation of the activities, 20 bikes will be provided to partner associations including “Miara-Miarina” and “Jeunesse Malgache de Demain.”

Households in Fénérive-Est will also use recycled materials such as yellow cans, soap bottle cap and mineral water bottles for establishing the system of rainwater collection and soap holder.

UNICEF reiterates here that it is important that households continue to be involved in the adoption and regular practice of hand washing with soap. This innovative device will be a plus.
 
The "FANDIO TSOTRA" campaign will continue throughout the month of September and will also comprise hygiene promotion sessions within households, particularly on the assembly of contactless DLM. After the campaign and for the post-COVID-19 period, local authorities hope for the adoption of good hygiene practice and a continued effort in mobilizing the entire population of the Analanjirofo Region in its goal of achieving zero Open defecation “ODF” planned for this year 2020, within the framework of the MadaMadio National Program.
 
“Many thanks to UNICEF for inspiring us with this low cost device, while using recycled materials for hygiene at home. It’s simple, but very important. In this time of health crisis, it is justified that hand washing saves lives”, explains Parfait Randrianimanana, Emergency Manager at the level of the Regional Department of Health in Analanjirofo.