JOIN USBollywood actress Kajol recently attended the United Nations General Assembly summit in New York to speak on child health and the benefits of hand washing as an ambassador of Lifebuoy’s ‘Help A Child Reach 5’ campaign. Excerpts from an interaction:
Tell us about the initiative.
‘Help a Child Reach 5’ is a campaign that works towards lowering child mortality rates. We are trying to make people understand that something as simple as washing your hands with soap can save many lives. We need to reduce the incidences of illnesses in newborns, as the first 28 days of life are crucial.
Why stress on the first 28 days?
That’s the time they are most vulnerable. Coming out of their mother’s womb, the babies need to face the world, for which their bodies aren’t always equipped. It takes time for them to adapt to the new surroundings. Even a cold or cough can prove to be fatal; it can easily turn into pneumonia. We are among the worst countries when it comes to neonatal deaths. Over 40 per cent of deaths in children under five years occurs within the first 28 days of life, that is, the neonatal period. Of the 3.1 million neonatal deaths each year, neonatal infections account for approximately 36 per cent deaths.
Can handwashing alone address this grave issue?
I believe the first step to any health issue is hygiene. And handwashing can really make a difference if you make it a habit. For example, we advocated the cause of handwashing in Thesgora village in Madhya Pradesh and the child mortality rates dropped from 36 to 5 per cent in a single year. Imagine the kind of difference we can make if we implement something like this as part of health programmes in every village. Our parents and grandparents have always been telling us about it. Somewhere along the line, we have just forgotten its significance. It’s only a matter of reintroducing an age-old habit.
Are people sceptical of celebritiesendorsing social causes?
When celebrities stand up for such causes, the message gets heard a little quicker and clearer. At the end of the day, if it’s a social cause and it benefits people, I don’t care what anyone calls it. I am very strict about hygiene. I keep telling both my kids to regularly wash their hands. In fact, I tell everyone at home, from the driver to my maid to keep their hands clean. I have hand sanitisers everywhere at home.