Punjas Group drums up a hygiene push in Fiji as private sector support backs school handwashing
Gopal Jadhav, the group’s chief marketing manager, told students at Korovuto College in Nadi that Fiji’s ongoing battle with diseases such as leptospirosis, typhoid fever, and dengue underscored the need for everyday personal hygiene. He announced that Ocean Soaps—Punjas Group’s soap brand—will donate hundreds of Bodyguard antibacterial cleansing bars to the Ministry of Health for distribution to schools in the Western Division as part of a new handwashing initiative.
Ocean Soaps is proud to be part of the campaign, Jadhav said, stressing that good health begins with small, consistent habits. While the Ministry of Health is working hard to fight these illnesses, he added, every individual also has a role to play. Hand washing with soap, he explained, goes beyond a quick rinse; it is the key action that removes and kills germs that cause sickness. He noted that the Bodyguard and MedX cleansing bars are designed specifically to kill germs and help prevent the spread of infection, and that hundreds of these antibacterial bars will be donated for distribution to Western Division schools.
Punjas has long stood for quality, pride, and care, Jadhav noted, and supporting community initiatives is in line with the company’s tradition of giving back to Fiji. “Your health is in your hands quite literally,” he told the students. “Every time you wash your hands with soap, you are protecting yourself, your family, and your friends. Such a small habit can save lives and build a healthier Fiji.”
In a separate address to the students, Priya Kumar, Quality Control Manager for Punjas Group, explained that Ocean Soaps has produced a range of soaps for many years and operates a modern laboratory and testing facility in Navutu, Lautoka, which meets Australian certification standards. She highlighted that Bodyguard cleansing bars feature antibacterial components and an antifungal element that enhance personal hygiene and help curb the spread of germs when used correctly.
Kumar also linked proper handwashing to broader health goals, noting that instilling good hygiene habits in children can empower communities to adopt consistent soap use and reduce the spread of disease. The event featured images of Kumar addressing the students and of Ministry of Health representatives engaging with the program, underscoring a growing partnership between government, the private sector, and schools to improve public health outcomes.
This handwashing awareness drive continues a pattern of Punjas Group activities centered on hygiene education and school outreach, including past campaigns coordinated around World Handwashing Day and related health initiatives in Lautoka and surrounding areas.
Editor’s note: The partnership between Punjas Group, Ocean Soaps, and the Ministry of Health illustrates how private enterprises can support essential public health goals. Expanding such collaborations to other regions and tracking the impact on handwashing practices could help quantify improvements in hygiene and disease prevention over time.
Summary: Punjas Group is advancing a handwashing campaign in Fiji by donating hundreds of Bodyguard antibacterial cleansing bars to the Ministry of Health for Western Division schools, highlighting the link between soap use and disease prevention in the face of leptospirosis, dengue, and typhoid threats.
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