Categories
It is an honour to mark the official flag-off of Phase III of the Wellbeing Africa Foundation – Dettol Nigeria Hygiene Quest Programme, as our social impact partnership with Reckitt extends its Clean Naija Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education (PSHE), Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) commitments across schools, healthcare facilities, and communities into Kano and Rivers States, alongside the continuation of our established work in Lagos State.
The implementation evidence from previous phases is precise and instructive. Programme cycles to date have recorded reductions in communicable diseases of 34%, 22%, and 16% among students in Abuja, Kwara, and Lagos, respectively, alongside falls in school absenteeism of up to 40% in targeted states, results drawn from structured hygiene education, behavioural change communication, and locally grounded practice delivered at scale. Phase III will deepen this work, reaching more than 750,000 students across 750 schools and over 90,000 pregnant women, nursing mothers, caregivers, and healthcare beneficiaries across 78 facilities.
The comprehensiveness of this programme’s design is what gives it lasting public health value. In schools, the WBFA – Dettol Nigeria Hygiene Quest curriculum fosters lifelong habits through student-led Hygiene Quest Clubs, peer learning, ambassadors and Sanitation Angels. In healthcare facilities, WBFA’s TEACH Clean training equips health workers with the infection prevention and hygiene competencies which safer facilities require. For mothers, the programme integrates directly within WBFA’s MamaCare 360 Programme in alignment with Dettol’s New Moms initiative.
With gratitude to our partners at Reckitt for a commitment that has consistently translated shared values into measurable public health outcomes, and to every government representative, midwife, nurse, health worker, teacher, and community leader across Lagos, Kano, and Rivers States who will carry this work forward. Every child in Nigeria deserves to grow up in a safe, hygienic environment. Through this expanded partnership, we move steadily and purposefully closer to the day when that is a guarantee.
The e-health check tool is available for free at https://covid19.wbfafrica.org/ and users can access real-time updates on how to stay connected, safe, and healthy during the pandemic on Instagram and Twitter @Wellbeing_PPMD, and @WellbeingPPMD on Facebook.
