Dettol unleashes ‘Hygiene Heroes’ to create germ-free Sri Lanka

Saturday, 6 September 2014 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Dettol, a trusted family protection brand is partnering the Sri Lanka Scouts Association, Colombo District Branch, in an innovative health campaign to promote hand hygiene among school children throughout the country. Dettol’s innovative program on hygiene plans to reach over 150,000 students through the ‘Dettol Hygiene Hero’ initiative. The International Jamboree held in Madampe recently to commemorate a centenary of Scouting in Colombo District provided the ideal platform for Dettol to give young people an all-round introduction into looking after their health through good hygiene practice. Over 3,500 scouts and girl guides representing 20 countries and all provinces of the country participated.

The Jamboree agenda included a special program on health in addition to Scouting’s indoor and outdoor adventure activities such as camping, obstacle courses, messenger of peace module, pioneering, community service, cooking, campfires and various stage performances. Aligning Dettol’s global ‘Mission for Health’ and sharing expertise in disinfection, hygiene and first aid, the program helped educate scouts on their importance. Doctors and Public Health Inspectors present at the Jamboree briefed scouts on hand hygiene and awarded 3,000 campers the title of ‘Dettol Hygiene Heroes’. The new ‘Dettol Hygiene Hero Ambassadors’ have been encouraged – on their return to their individual schools – to pass the message of clean hands to peers and log these details. Students will receive a medal (bronze, silver or gold) depending on the number of students they can educate. Those who canvass and instruct over 50 students will receive a gold medal. Commenting on their partnership with the Colombo International Jamboree, Reckitt Benckiser Lanka Ltd. Commercial Director Sinclair Cruse said, “We are hopeful that through this campaign our youth and future generation will become more aware of health and hygiene issues. The potential positive implications for overall improved health and wellness and effectiveness in preventing disease through proper hand-washing is among our goals. This event showcased Sri Lanka and our commitment towards delivery of interactive hygiene education.” According to Head of Jamboree Executive Team and International Commissioner, Sri Lanka Scouts Janaprith Fernando, “The Scout’s Promise is – Duty to Self: You owe it to yourself to take care of your body. Protect it and build it. Then you can help others. The inclusion of Dettol’s initiative to educate scouts on hand hygiene as a special program in the Jamboree Agenda was an ideal opportunity to instill responsibility, team work and leadership skills which are hallmarks of the scouting ethos.”