Ocean Soaps, a unit of the Punjas Group, has launched a handwashing drive in Fiji’s Western Division, donating hundreds of antibacterial cleansing bars to the Ministry of Health for distribution to schools and communities. The initiative aims to reinforce hygiene practices as a simple and effective defense against infectious diseases.
At the event, Gopal Jadhav, Chief Marketing Manager of Punjas Group, underscored that regular handwashing with soap is a key measure in preventing illnesses such as leptospirosis, typhoid and dengue fever. He emphasized that “hand washing may seem small, but it has a big impact,” noting it helps combat diarrhea, influenza, typhoid and acute respiratory infections. “Your health is in your hands,” he added, framing the program as a practical step families can take to protect themselves.
Ocean Soaps has a long-standing history of producing hygiene products for Fijian households, including the Bodyguard and MedX antibacterial bars. The company has also prioritized promoting healthy habits alongside product development, a focus that gained renewed attention in response to public health challenges during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.
The donation forms part of Punjas Group’s broader community outreach as it marks 90 years of service to the Pacific, continuing a tradition of supporting schools and communities. The Ministry of Health, represented by Mr. Rakesh Kumar, welcomed the contribution as a meaningful addition to ongoing sanitation and health awareness efforts.
The move is in line with the group’s proven track record. In a previous Global Handwashing Day drive, Punjas donated 700 Bodyguard antibacterial cleansing bars to Western Division schools, reinforcing a local culture of handwashing. That effort involved 16 schools in Lautoka and highlighted Ocean Soaps’ Navutu, Lautoka facility, which operates a world-class laboratory and testing center compliant with Australian certification standards.
Context and impact
– The initiative demonstrates a sustained partnership between the private sector and government health authorities to improve student health and hygiene in Fiji.
– By distributing antibacterial cleansing bars through the Ministry of Health, the program helps ensure that hygiene supplies reach schools and families most in need.
– The emphasis on handwashing as a simple, cost-effective public health measure aligns with ongoing global and local efforts to reduce preventable illnesses through behavioral change.
Additional comments
– This program could serve as a model for expanding hand hygiene campaigns to more districts, including ongoing education for students, teachers and families on proper handwashing techniques.
– Given the enduring importance of hygiene in preventing disease, continued collaboration between Punjas, Ocean Soaps and health authorities could amplify health outcomes and foster long-term healthy habits among Fiji’s youth.
Summary
Ocean Soaps’ handwashing initiative in Fiji’s Western Division, and the accompanying donation to the Ministry of Health, adds to Punjas Group’s long-running mission of promoting hygiene and public health. Building on prior campaigns that distributed hundreds of antibacterial bars and featured a modern Navutu lab, the effort reinforces the message that handwashing is a powerful, accessible tool for safeguarding community health.
Positive note
Such corporate-led collaborations offer hopeful signs that communities can mobilize practical health measures quickly, especially when supported by education and reliable access to hygiene products.
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