International Hand Hygiene Day – Let’s Join Hands to Prevent Common Illnesses

Around the world, the 5th of May is marked as the International Hand Hygiene Day on the calendar every year. The World Health Organization (WHO) organizes a global campaign to raise awareness about the importance of proper handwashing in preventing the spread of several diseases. 

We often ignore this simple practice because we are unaware of its positive impact in preventing diseases. This seemingly simple act is one of the most effective ways to safeguard yourself and others from a multitude of illnesses. In this article, we’ll have a look at the importance of International Hand Hygiene Day and how you can get involved. 

Importance of International Hand Hygiene Day 

Our hands come into contact with countless surfaces throughout the day, picking up germs and bacteria. These germs can then be easily transferred to our eyes, nose, and mouth, leading to infections.

Handwashing with soap and water disrupts the physical structure of these microbes, making them inactive and preventing them from multiplying and causing illness. Studies show that regular handwashing can significantly reduce the incidence of respiratory illnesses like colds, flu, and diarrheal diseases, which are major causes of childhood mortality globally.

Global Hand Hygiene Day aims to educate people about the importance of handwashing to avoid the complications of getting serious diseases. 

What is The Theme for International Hand Hygiene Day 2024? 

The theme for International Hand Hygiene Day 2024 is promoting knowledge and capacity building among health and care workers. For this, the global platform has designed impactful and innovative training and education programs on infection prevention and control that also include the importance of hand hygiene. 

How to Wash Your Hands Correctly? 

It might seem like a simple practice that everyone can do, but still, some people don’t do it the right way. Don’t fret, it’s not something complicated, just a few simple steps and things to remember to protect yourself and your people from several common health problems. So, here’s how you should wash your hands: 

Start with wetting your hands. Hold your hands under the running water and get them completely wet.

Now apply the soap. Apply enough soap to cover your entire hands. Rub your palms together to create a good lather.

Scrub all your hands for at least 20 seconds. This is the most crucial step. Spend at least 20 seconds scrubbing all surfaces of your hands. Here are the areas to focus on:

• Palm to palm
• Back of your hands
• Between your fingers
• Under your nails (use the tip of your other fingers or your nails from the opposite hand)
• Thumbs (around and between)
• Tips of your fingers

Rinse them thoroughly. Rinse your hands well under clean running water. Make sure to remove all soap residue.

Finally, dry your hands completely: Use a clean paper towel or disposable towel to dry your hands completely. Wet hands can harbour germs, so thorough drying is important. If a towel dispenser is not available, air-drying is acceptable but less effective.

How Can You Get Involved in This International Hand Hygiene Day 2024? 

Everyone can play a role in promoting hand hygiene, whether they belong to the healthcare sector or not. Here are some ways you can get involved in this International Hand Hygiene Day 2024 to make a positive impact: 

• Start with practicing good hand hygiene yourself. Wash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after using the toilet, blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing, and before preparing or eating the food. If soap and water are unavailable, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol content.
• Educate others. Talk to your family, friends, and colleagues about the importance of handwashing. Share informative resources from organizations like the WHO and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
• Support WASH initiatives around you. Donate to organizations working to improve access to clean water and sanitation facilities in underserved communities.

Spread awareness on social media. Share information about International Hand Hygiene Day on your social media platforms. Use relevant hashtags like #HandHygieneDay and #CleanHandsSaveLives to raise awareness.