The Ministry of Health and Medical Services (MHMS), through the National Referral Hospital (NRH), on Tuesday celebrated World Health Hygiene Day (WHHD).
The theme is “It might be gloves, it’s always Hand Hygiene”.
Sharing her remarks at the event, Dr. Janella Solomon, Medical Superintendent, National Referral Hospital, explained the theme, “It might be gloves, it’s always Hand Hygiene” or “Gloves at the right time, but Hand Hygiene all the time”.
She said keeping your hands clean helps prevent the spread of various diseases, both in medical settings and everyday life.
“It involves either washing hands with soap and water or using alcohol-based hand rubs (like hand sanitizers with at least 60% alcohol).
“Proper hand hygiene practices are crucial for preventing the transmission of various diseases, including respiratory and gastrointestinal infections”, said Dr Solomon.
She outlined the objectives of the WHHD to promote optimal hand hygiene practices (using the appropriate technique and, according to the World Health Organization 5 Moments) and the times for appropriate glove use within the healthcare workflow.
“Promote the inclusion of hand hygiene within national IPC strategies, as well as standard operating procedures (SOPs) at facility level, according to the recommendations of the WHO global action plan and monitoring framework 2024-2030. Raise awareness of the environmental and climate impact of gloves on waste generation and management, especially when used unnecessarily”, said Dr Solomon.
She encouraged health and care workers to practice hand hygiene as per the WHO 5 Moments and use gloves appropriately. (Moment 1 – Before touching a patient. Moment 2 – Before a procedure. Moment 3 – After a procedure or body fluid exposure risk. Moment 4 – After touching a patient. Moment 5 – After touching a patient’s surroundings).
- Follow guidance on when and how to clean your hands and when to use gloves.
- Understand that gloves do not replace the need for hand hygiene.
- Be aware of how gloved waste impacts overall waste management and the environment/climate change.
She continued to encourage Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) professionals to educate health and care workers on the appropriate use of gloves, as well as the WHO 5 Moments for hand hygiene.
“Support others to learn about when and how to do hand hygiene. Promote the importance of access to hand hygiene products at point of care and toilets. Support others to learn about when to use gloves. Seek input from health and care workers about access to hand hygiene products and availability of gloves”.
She reminded those who access care to be aware of the correct times for their care provider to clean their hands and to wear gloves.
“Be aware that gloves are not a replacement for hand hygiene”, said Dr Solomon.
Not only this, she reminded everyone to practice hand hygiene or wash her hands before preparing food, before eating, after using the toilet, after changing diapers or cleaning up a child who has used the toilet, and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Kukari Lui, IPC officer, NRH stated hand hygiene is the most effective way to stop the spread of infection.
However, she stated hand washing among health workers themselves are challenging, and it is IPC’s responsibility to ensure staff are reminded and monitor the hand washing among doctors, nurses and supporting staff at the hospital.
Therefore, effective, timely hand hygiene is the cornerstone of IPC.
“Washing hands reduces the transmission of microorganisms and keeps everyone safe”, said Mrs. Lui.
– MHMS Press
