Covid-19 handwashing project keeps Nairobi safe
Nairobi residents wash their hands from a six-user water dispenser set up by Tippy Tap Kenya in Lavington, Nairobi. PHOTO | FAUSTINE NGILA
A community-based organisation plans to keep Kenyans safe through handwashing as Covid-19 rages.
Tippy Tap Kenya has been moving through Nairobi's public zones spreading the gospel of hand-washing. "We seek to empower institutions, commercial and public spaces with an all-round sustainable, innovative solution for observing hand hygiene as a preventive health measure against the spread of Covid-19 and other diseases," said Kennedy Aluoch, the chief executive.
The organisation has been installing various types of hand hygiene devices in public places to help people stay safe, establishing a sustainable supply of hand sanitisers and soap.
Research shows over 95 per cent of institutions, commercial and public premises in Kenya lack sustainable and efficient amenities for hand hygiene.
"By providing a diverse range of our innovative solutions to both public and private premises, we enable the public to embark on their normal activities hence help jumpstart the economy," said Aluoch.
ALCOHOL-BASED SOLUTIONS
Partnering with the Ministry of Health, Unicef and Lifebuoy, Tippy Tap has installed the devices at Kawangware Primary School, Doctors Without Borders, Kariobangi South Primary School, Mwangaza Primary School, Rens Academy, Green Woods Academy, Jesus Revival School, Mabe Twinkling Stars, King Queen Academy and Kibiku Primary School.
Four different types of water and soap dispensing machines, that have been locally assembled, have been used to serve Nairobi residents for free.
The triple-pedal tap, for instance, dispenses water and soap separately, serving three users simultaneously while saving on time, water and soap used per wash. The G-5 dispenser dispenses alcohol-based sanitising solutions, serving five users while the G-3 wall dispenser serves three users.
"The G-6 dispenser releases alcohol-based sanitising solution and serves six users at a go and can be placed in places like restaurants and supermarkets where people have to line up waiting to sanitise their hands," said Aluoch.
The Covid-19 pandemic is rapidly changing mindsets about how humans regard hand hygiene, with world governments advocating compulsory hand-washing by citizens to control the spread of the disease.
The World Health Organization has recommended the use of alcohol-based formulations if hands are not visibly soiled.
