Introduction:
The goal of the Global Handwashing Day, which is celebrated every year on October 15, is to remind healthcare providers and patients and people all over the world to commit to hand washing to prevent the spread of infections. The main goal of the Global Hand Hygiene Day is to recognize that handwashing is one of the most effective actions you can take to reduce the spread of pathogens and prevent infections, including the COVID-19 virus. Health workers and community members alike can play a role in preventing infection transmission by practicing regular and frequent handwashing regularly.
Facts:
- People frequently touch their eyes, noses and mouths without being aware of doing so, leading to contamination of hand with germs, transmission of infection to others.
- Cleaning and disinfecting hands reduces respiratory illnesses, like the common cold, by 16-21%.
- Washing hands with soap can reduce the rates of gastroenteritis by 23-40%.
- Reducing the rates of school absenteeism as a result of gastroenteritis by 29-57%.
- Reducing gastroenteritis among immunocompromised patients to58%.
- Objectives:
- Raising awareness of the importance of washing hands to prevent the spread of infectious diseases.
- Making hand hygiene a global priority.
- Engaging with health care workers in their role in clean care and the prevention of infections.
Official Date:
- Globally: October 15th, 2020.
- Locally: Safar 28th, 1442H.
Theme:
(Save Lives: Clean Your Hands)