Save lives: clean your hands
World Hand Hygiene Day announced by the WHO to be held on May 5, 2009
The WHO World Alliance for Patient Safety has announced a world day to be held on May 5, 2009 for raising awareness concerning the importance of proper hand hygiene at healthcare centers on the part of professionals, patients and their companions. The objective is to get the largest number of healthcare centers and organizations possible in all countries actively involved in promoting this simple measure of prime importance for reducing healthcare-associated infections.
At this point in time, due to the recent outbreak of the Influenza-A virus or new influenza (H1N1), the WHO’s global message is to stress the importance of proper hand hygiene as an important measure for preventing the spread of this infection.
This Day in which we can all help toward preventing and controlling healthcare-associated infections is being promoted today, May 5th, through the Ministry of Health and Social Policy .
Hand hygiene is a simple measure of prime importance for reducing healthcare-associated infections and the spread of multi-resistant microorganisms.
The Ministry of Health and Social Policy has funded specific projects as of 2005 for promoting hand hygiene at the National Health System healthcare centers. These projects are aimed at facilitating the availability and use of hydro-alcohol solution at healthcare centers, as well as promoting measures for training and raising the awareness of professionals and patients.
On May 5, 2009, the Ministry of Health and Social Policy Quality Agency will be joining the WHO World Alliance for Patient Safety in a World Day with the slogan: “Save Lives: Clean Your Hands ” aimed at raising awareness as to the importance of this basic hygiene practice at healthcare centers.