The World Health Organization (WHO) is emphasizing the importance of hand hygiene in preventing the transmission of infections and providing high-quality medical care. On World Hand Hygiene Day, WHO urges governments, healthcare facilities, and frontline workers to reinforce hand hygiene practices.
According to WHO, hand hygiene is a proven, cost-effective intervention that can protect both patients and healthcare workers. Every dollar invested in hand hygiene can yield up to $24.6 in economic returns. However, many healthcare facilities lack basic hand hygiene services, putting billions of people at risk.
WHO stresses that medical gloves are not a substitute for hand hygiene and can become contaminated just like hands if not used properly. The organization is calling for action to improve rational use of gloves and hand hygiene in healthcare settings, including establishing hand hygiene compliance as a national health system performance indicator and training healthcare workers on appropriate glove use.
WHO’s message on World Hand Hygiene Day is clear: “It might be gloves. It is always hand hygiene.” By prioritizing hand hygiene, healthcare facilities can save lives, save money, and reduce waste.
WHO/Sankofaonline
