Edo State Primary Health Care Development Agency (ESPHCDA) has urged healthcare workers, parents and stakeholders to embrace the culture of washing hands frequently to prevent diseases.
The Executive Secretary of the agency, Dr Otaniyenuwa Obarisiagbon, made the call in a statement to mark the 2022 World Hand Hygiene Day (WHHD) in Benin on Thursday.
World Hand Hygiene Day is an international observance day commemorated every year on May 5 to recognise global efforts to
prevent the spread of infections in healthcare centres.
This year’s celebration has the theme: “Health Care Quality and Safety Climate or Culture” and the slogan is Unite for Safety: Clean Your Hands.”
Obarisiagbon advised healthcare workers to ensure proper hand washing with soap and water before contact with patients and
also clean a septic procedure after contact with patients and body fluids.
She said “this will help to protect both healthcare workers and patients from diarrheal diseases, COVID-19 and others.
“The use of liquid soap for hand washing is better than bar soap, especially in health facilities.
“When the hands are visibly dirty, washing hands with soap should be done rather than using alcohol-based hand sanitisers.
“Special attention should be paid to the finger tips, the thumbs, the spaces between our fingers, the back of our hands, and our wrists when washing our hands.
“After hand washing, hands can be air dried or single use hand towels should be used to dry our hands. The hand towels should be washed after use and not shared with others.”
The executive secretary said that the WHHD celebration helped to increase awareness on the importance of washing the hands regularly.
Earlier, Mrs Irene Uabor, the Health Education Officer of the agency, said keeping the hands clean is one of the most important things to do to avoid getting sick and stop spreading germs.
She added that “washing of hands regularly is one of the best ways to remove germs, avoid getting sick and prevent the spread of germs.
“Whether you are at home, at work, travelling or out in the community, frequent hand washing with soap and water will always protect you and your family.”
(NAN)
