The Wellbeing Foundation Africa Holds Its First Stakeholders Engagement Meeting For Dettol Hygiene Programme

By Eunice Orike

The Wellbeing Foundation Africa, a Non-governmental organisation, dedicated to improving Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) and maternal and child health, has held its first stakeholder engagement meeting for the Dettol Hygiene Quest Programme.

This initiative, which is in partnership with Reckitt, aims to enhance hygiene practices and reduce preventable diseases among students, mothers in healthcare facilities, and community members across Abuja, Lagos, and Kwara states.

In her opening remarks, Director of Programmes, Impact and Sustainability, Dr. Francis Ogbise, emphasised the Foundation’s dedication to combating water-related diseases and promoting handwashing, especially in the context of a recent cholera outbreak.

Earlier, the Programmes Officer at the Foundation, Mrs. Violet Ikechukwu, presented the first-quarter report, showcasing the program’s significant achievements, adding that the initiative has exceeded its targets in several areas.

According to her, the program began with a preparatory phase from October 2023 to January 2024, leading to full implementation in February 2024.

Its goals include improving hygiene, boosting school attendance and academic performance, empowering communities, and supporting Sustainable Development Goal 6.2, which focuses on clean water and sanitation.

The stakeholder meeting brought together representatives from various sectors, including the Federal Ministry of Health, National Population Commission, Rural Water Supply Agency, and the Universal Basic Education Board, along with officials from primary healthcare centers and schools. The gathering was an opportunity to share updates on the programme’s progress, discuss its impacts, and gather feedback from key partners.

Hygiene Lessons in Schools: Target: 6,750; Reached: 7,765
Hygiene Lessons in Healthcare Facilities: Target: 1,920; Reached: 3,244
Hygiene Lessons in Communities: Target: 1,692; Reached: 3,096

Looking ahead, the programme aims to expand its reach in schools, Engage 23 schools, reaching 16,800 students.
Communities: Connect with 24 communities, impacting 1,692 members.
Healthcare Facilities: Conduct 90 visits to 12 facilities, reaching 2,880 women.

However, the Stakeholders expressed gratitude for the meeting, which they said provided valuable feedback and highlighted the programme’s positive impact on their organisations, adding that they looked forward to continued collaboration and progress in the next quarter.