As World Hand Hygiene Day sheds light on the desperate need for clean water in South African early childhood development (ECD) centres, advocates emphasise the importance of addressing this pressing public health crisis, which has severe implications for the nation's children.
Deb Zelezniak, CEO of the Santa Shoebox Project, has raised concerns that SA may be jeopardising the life-saving potential of handwashing unless immediate action is taken to ensure that clean and safe water is available in early learning environments.
“Children constantly touch surfaces and objects, picking up germs as they go,” Zelezniak articulates.
It is explained that despite an ambitious government pledge of R210 million aimed at upgrading these centres over the next two years, significant gaps in infrastructure continue to put children's health and development at risk.
“Without proper hand hygiene, those germs can lead to dangerous illnesses like diarrhoea and respiratory infections—two of the leading causes of death among South Africa’s under-fives. Handwashing with soap can cut diarrhoea rates by up to 40% and respiratory infections by up to 25%.”
The ramifications of such health issues extend beyond immediate concerns.
Zelezniak further points out that inadequate water and sanitation infrastructure can severely impede a child’s cognitive, language, and motor development, stunting their future academic achievements. “Poor sanitation and hygiene access can entrench poverty, limiting a child's opportunity to break the cycle of disadvantage,” she notes.
Although there are ongoing efforts to help register and upgrade ECD centres, many facilities find themselves ensnared in a debilitating cycle.
“Centres that can’t afford the water and sanitation improvements needed for registration are locked out of the very funding that could help them upgrade,” explains Zelezniak.
The fall-back solutions such as rainwater tanks, boreholes, or public taps are unreliable and detrimental to the health of young children.
Non-profit organisations like the Santa Shoebox Project are stepping up to renovate centres and advocate for better hygiene practices, yet Zelezniak insists that systemic change is critical. “This is not just a public health issue; it’s about dignity, education, and the long-term development of our country. Supporting ECD owners to meet registration standards must be a national priority.”
“No child should fall sick or die simply because there was no water to wash their hands,” she concludes emphatically, urging all stakeholders to reconsider the level of attention and resources dedicated to this crucial issue.
Saturday Star