Family days out should be fun-filled opportunities for bonding. However, with the rise in communicable diseases such as Hand, Foot & Mouth Diseases (HFMD) the possibility of bringing germs back is increasing.
Antabax, Malaysia’s number 1 Halal antibacterial personal care range has introduced the ‘Bring Joy Back, Not Germs’ campaign to teach simple steps that can reduce the spread of communicable diseases, for more joyous and less germy days-out with the family.
The worries that parents and caregivers have regarding their children and charges contracting HFMD especially in public areas is well-founded. As of August 16, 2018 statistics from the Ministry of Health Malaysia show that 52,393 children have been reported to have contracted HFMD.
Launched in conjunction with MBO Cinema’s Blood Donation 5.0 at Starling Mall, Damansara Uptown, the campaign featured a talk on “5 Things That Parents Should Know About Common Infectious Diseases” by a specialist from Sunway Medical Center, hands-on hand hygiene demonstration by nurses from MAHSA University, interaction with the Antabax mascot, Germbuster, fun quizzes and lots of prizes.
The activities succeeded in delivering information to adults and children on the importance of practising good hand and general hygiene habits, while taking extra hygiene precautions to reduce the spread of communicable diseases especially those that are spread by unclean hands.
According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), approximately 80 percent of infectious diseases are transmitted by touch[1] and the CDC recommends hand hygiene as one of the most important steps to avoid getting sick and spreading germs to others.[2]
Mr. Francis Ng, Senior General Manager, Household and Personal Care Department of Lam Soon Edible Oils Sdn Bhd, explained that the brand is carrying out numerous activities aimed at encouraging better hand and general hygiene practices that can support Malaysians active lifestyles.
“Malaysians are increasingly involved in active lifestyles be it sports, socialising, shopping or entertainment such a going to the movies. The challenge is not to bring back unwelcome and harmful germs after a fun day out. Simple steps such as correct handwashing can help to stop the spread of up to 99.9% of harmful germs. Simply put clean hands save lives. That’s the message we aim to drive home,” said Mr. Ng.
Antabax’ product range includes hand soap, bar soap, shower cream, antibacterial sanitizer spray, antibacterial sanitizer gel and antibacterial wipes that provide 24 hour protection against 99.9% of germs.
“Antabax has your hygiene needs covered even in situations where soap and water are not available with our range of antibacterial sanitizer spray, antibacterial sanitizer gel and antibacterial wipes. For example before diving into your popcorn at an MBO cinema, quickly wipe your hands with our antibacterial wipes. A simple precaution that can help you bring back the joy of the movies without the germs,” quipped Mr. Ng.
This is MBO Cinemas fifth annual blood donation drive, and the company is proud to have Antabax as its partner as they are contributing to the conversation on health by highlighting the important issue of hygiene. While the MBO blood donation drive is adding to the nation’s blood banks, preventing the spread of infectious diseases as promoted by Antabax is always better than a cure.
Dr. Anza Elias, an Occupational Health Physician from Sunway Medical Centre provided a comprehensive guide for adults and children on simple steps to reduce the spread of communicable diseases and made the serious topic of good hygiene easily understandable. She took questions from concerned parents and helped them allay their fears, while motivating kids to be cleanliness superheroes.
Nurses from MAHSA lead by Pn. Habibah Binti A Jalil, took the crowd in an energetic yet through introduction to the seven steps of hand hygiene, and the four steps to hand sanitising. They kept time to the catchy Antabax hand hygiene song and had everyone following along. Everyone present had the opportunity to receive one-on-one hand washing instructions from medical professionals.
For more information on HFMD and ways to minimize the risk of spreading communicable diseases visit Antabax social media pages at www.fb.com/NewAntabax and Instagram @antabax.
[1] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). CDC Quick Reference Guide for Public Information on Infection Control.
[2] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Handwashing: Clean Hands Save Lives. http://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/when-how-handwashing.html December 11, 2013.
