Introduction:
The first Global Handwashing Day was held in 2008. The day is celebrated every year on October 15th with the aim of increasing awareness and understanding of the benefits of handwashing with soap as an effective and affordable means of preventing diseases and saving lives. The World Handwashing Day is also an opportunity to design and test creative ways to encourage people to wash their hands with soap at all times. It also sheds light on the importance of hand hygiene for health professionals to prevent transmission of infections inside and outside health facilities.
Facts:
- Washing hands with soap can reduce the risk of intestinal diseases and diarrhea by 31% and diseases of the respiratory tract by 21%.
- Clean hands prevent the transmission of bacteria and viruses from one person to another and between members of community.
- Handwashing with soap can prevent infection during healthcare.
- Handwashing helps prevent skin and eye infections.
- Handwashing with soap helps prevent outbreaks such as: corona and soil-transmitted helminths.
Objectives:
- Spreading out effective promotional programs to enhance the practice of handwashing, with the aim of reducing individuals' risk of diseases that may affect their health.
- Foster and support the culture of handwashing with soap in schools.
- Handle myths and misconceptions about handwashing.
- Educate health practitioners about the importance of washing hands regularly to prevent the transmission of infection inside and outside health facilities
- Shed light on hands as the main cause of transmitting microbes and infection.
Official Date:
Globally: October 15th, 2019.
Locally: Safar 16th, 1441H.
Theme of the World Day:
“Clean Hands for All”