Introduction:
The World Hand Washing Day is meant to promote public awareness of the importance of washing hands with water and soap, given it is a major shield against diseases; not to forget the indispensable importance of washing hands for health workers, in order to prevent infection transmission at health facilities.
Recent studies have indicated that washing hands with water and soap can be regarded as a strong preventive shield against diseases. About 3.5 under-five children die every year owing to diarrhea and pneumonia, since the hand-borne microbes are responsible for the transmission of diarrhea, pneumonia and other infectious diseases.
Objectives of the World Hand Washing Day:
- Promoting the culture of hand washing with water and soap, both locally and internationally.
- Highlighting the importance hand washing for protecting thousands of persons who pass away everyday across the world owing to infection transmitted while receiving health care.
- Underscoring that hands are the main factor for the transmission of microbes, and hence infection.
- Emphasizing the importance of educating health professionals and increasing their awareness of the necessity of hand washing on a regular basis, thus preventing infection transmission at health facilities.
- Placing greater emphasis on educating children on hand washing on a regular basis.
Internationally approved date: 5/5/2014
Locally approved date: 6/7/1435H
Logo of the World Hand Washing Day 2014:
“Save Lives: Clean Your Hands!”
Targeted Groups:
- Health workers: physicians, nurses, pharmacists, and health educationists.
- Education workers: teachers, social workers, etc.
- Health decision makers.
- Health associations and organizations.
- The public.
- School students.
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