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Clean Hands Save Lives | World Hand Hygiene Day | May 5

Hand hygiene is a crucial practice that involves cleaning hands with soap and water or using hand sanitizers to remove germs and prevent infections. World Hand Hygiene Day is an annual event observed on May 5th, aimed at raising awareness about the importance of hand hygiene in healthcare settings and beyond. In this article, we will discuss the benefits of hand hygiene in preventing infection and promoting health, section-wise.

Handwashing in Communities

Handwashing is one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of germs and infections in communities. Regular handwashing with soap and water can remove germs and prevent diarrhoea and respiratory infections. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), handwashing can prevent about 30% of diarrhoea-related sicknesses and about 20% of respiratory infections. Handwashing is essential in community settings, such as schools, workplaces and public places, to prevent the spread of germs and infections.

Hand Hygiene in Healthcare Settings

Hand hygiene is critical in healthcare settings, where patients are more vulnerable to infections. Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are among the most frequent adverse events occurring in health service delivery. These infections, many of which are caused by multidrug-resistant organisms, harm patients, visitors and health workers and place a significant burden on health systems. Hand hygiene can prevent the spread of HAIs and save millions of lives every year when performed at the right time and in the right way during healthcare delivery

Science Behind Hand Hygiene

Hand hygiene is based on the principle of removing germs from hands. Germs can get onto hands after people use the toilet or change a diaper, but also in less obvious ways, like after handling raw meats that have invisible amounts of animal poop on them. When these germs get onto hands and are not washed off, they can be passed from person to person and make people sick. Handwashing with soap removes germs from hands, preventing the spread of infections and diseases.

Benefits of Hand Hygiene

Hand hygiene has numerous benefits, including:

• Preventing the spread of germs and infections.
• Reducing the risk of diarrhoea and respiratory infections.
• Preventing the spread of HAIs in healthcare settings.
• Saving millions of lives every year when performed at the right time and in the right way during healthcare delivery.

Hand hygiene is a crucial practice that involves cleaning hands with soap and water or using hand sanitizers to remove germs and prevent infections. World Hand Hygiene Day is an annual event observed on May 5th, aimed at raising awareness about the importance of hand hygiene in healthcare settings and beyond. Hand hygiene has numerous benefits, including preventing the spread of germs and infections, reducing the risk of diarrhoea and respiratory infections, preventing the spread of HAIs in healthcare settings, saving millions of lives every year when performed at the right time and in the right way during healthcare delivery. Let us all observe World Hand Hygiene Day and promote hand hygiene to prevent infections and promote health.