Is Hand Hygiene the Cornerstone of Safe Healthcare?
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Synopsis
On May 4, WHO’s Saima Wazed emphasized that hand hygiene is essential for safe healthcare, impacting all health interactions. With World Hand Hygiene Day approaching, the importance of infection prevention control is more vital than ever. Discover how these measures contribute to universal health goals and combat antimicrobial resistance.
Key Takeaways
- Hand hygiene is essential for safe healthcare.
- It supports Universal Health Coverage and Sustainable Development Goals.
- Effective IPC guidelines are critical for healthcare systems.
- Countries are encouraged to implement WHO’s Global IPC Strategy.
- Education and awareness about hand hygiene can significantly improve health outcomes.
New Delhi, May 4 (NationPress) Hand hygiene should not be viewed as a luxury but as a fundamental element of safe healthcare. This principle is crucial for health workers, patients, and their families during every healthcare interaction, stated Saima Wazed, Regional Director for WHO South-East Asia, on Sunday.
It plays a vital role in achieving quality universal health coverage, contributing to the Sustainable Development Goal 3.8, and strongly supports the water, sanitation, hygiene, and health (WASH) agenda. Moreover, hand hygiene is a critical factor in the fight against antimicrobial resistance, Wazed noted as World Hand Hygiene Day approaches on May 5.
“Infection prevention and control (IPC), which encompasses hand hygiene, is essential for the establishment of safe and effective healthcare systems. The WHO has assisted nations in formulating evidence-based IPC guidelines tailored for healthcare environments and has developed the WHO Core Components of IPC, a standardized framework that directs national IPC programs, healthcare facilities, and training initiatives to ensure robust infection control,” Wazed said in a statement.
The WHO has also created a Global IPC Strategy, Action Plan, and Monitoring Framework aimed at helping Member States effectively advance this agenda.
‘World Hand Hygiene Day 2025’ aligns with the urgent need for nations to swiftly implement the Global action plan and monitoring framework on infection prevention and control (IPC) for 2024–2030, supported by an implementation guide, and to continue enhancing IPC as highlighted by the latest Global report on infection prevention and control 2024.
The Global Report indicates that most countries in the South-East Asia region possess an active national IPC program, many of which are underpinned by national guidelines that adhere to national standards or WHO core component standards.
“The designated IPC focal points reported having allocated time for their responsibilities in the majority of our countries, and six of our nations have a designated, safeguarded budget assigned to the IPC program according to planned activities,” Wazed added.
Point of View
I firmly believe that the emphasis on hand hygiene by WHO is a timely reminder of its critical role in ensuring safe healthcare. The collective responsibility shared by healthcare providers and patients in maintaining cleanliness cannot be overstated. It is imperative that we engage communities in understanding and practicing effective hand hygiene to enhance overall public health.
NationPress
27/07/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is hand hygiene important in healthcare?
Hand hygiene is crucial in healthcare as it prevents the spread of infections, protects patients, and supports overall health outcomes.
What is the role of WHO in infection prevention?
WHO provides guidelines and support to countries to implement effective infection prevention and control measures in healthcare settings.
How does hand hygiene contribute to combating antimicrobial resistance?
Effective hand hygiene reduces the transmission of infections, thereby decreasing the need for antibiotics and helping combat antimicrobial resistance.
