ALBERTON – May 5 marks the annual celebration of World Hand Hygiene Day.
It has been 10 years since the launch of the World Health Organisation Clean Care is Safer Care Programme and the seventh year of the SAVE LIVES: Clean Your Hands initiative. WHO called on world healthcare providers to participate in a hand sanitising relay to increase awareness of hand hygiene.
Local healthcare providers participated in the celebrations of the day by forming a relay line between Netcare Clinton and Netcare Union hospitals in New Redruth. Approximately 150 staff members participated in the relay.
Infection prevention practitioners from both hospitals, called passion representatives, organised the event. Participants stood in a line between the two hospitals and had their hands cleaned with hand sanitiser. Staff members wore signs promoting clean care and carried posters endorsing clean hands.
Mediclinic and ER24 are highlighted the importance of clean hands in preventing infections and improving healthcare by distributing posters, stickers and alcohol hand rub bottles in recognition of Hand Hygiene Day.
Dr Robyn Holgate, from ER24, said hand hygiene is the best way to prevent the spread of infection and disease.
“In 2015, we are faced with a number of infection challenges such as the increasing resistance of superbugs to antibiotics. Hand washing is one of the most important ways to prevent the spread of these bugs.
