Important to promote good health, hygiene
THERE has been much discussion on the bed crunch in public hospitals.
But we should also focus on promoting better health, creating awareness of the importance of maintaining one’s personal hygiene and taking responsibility for one’s health.
The cultivation of good hygiene begins when one is young.
I have frequently observed that young people, and some adults too, have a habit of not washing their hands properly with soap and water – or not washing them at all – after visiting the toilet.
At best, it is done cursorily. This is a cause for concern.
The Health Promotion Board (HPB) should encourage the use of face masks by the public. They should be used not just when there is pollution or during periods of haze, but also when one has respiratory issues.
Perhaps, the HPB should initiate a monthly campaign to create awareness that it is important to use a face mask in public areas when one is not feeling well.
Changi Airport, which handles a large number of travellers daily, should have strategic points that offer free face masks.
More hand sanitisers could be located at passengers’ boarding and transit lounges. This is to reduce the spread of disease through human contact and by sneezing and coughing.
Employers should take the lead in encouraging their employees to lead a healthy lifestyle.
Also, the HPB could emphasise the value of quality sleep because sleep deprivation has been linked to increased blood pressure, which is known to raise the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
Source: Asia One
Published: 29 Jan 2014
Category: Features, Wellness and Complementary Therapies
