Saloon standards drawn up

Oct 23, 2008

STANDARDS for saloons have been developed by the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS). The standards were drawn up in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, Kampala City Council, beauty associations and the Uganda Hair Beauty Industry.

By Samuel Balagadde

STANDARDS for saloons have been developed by the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS). The standards were drawn up in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, Kampala City Council, beauty associations and the Uganda Hair Beauty Industry.

The guidelines are expected to lead to improved hygiene in the hair and beauty industry.

Dr. Friday Agaba, the principal medical officer of environmental health in the health ministry, said the standards were aimed improving public health by reducing diseases that are transmitted from the saloons and beauty parlours.

Agaba told saloon operators at a workshop at Sharing Hall in Nsambya said under the new standards, saloons are classified as medical centres since they deal with human health.

He said saloon operators and clients are vulnerable to getting infected with airborne diseases like Tuberclosis and skin diseases.

The standards include acquisition of medical certificates after a medical examination, possession of functional first aid boxes, water disposal pits, dustbins and well-cemented and ventilated structures.

Patrick Sekitoleko, the UNBS’s manager for standards, said the source of some saloon inputs is not known.

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