Skip to main content

Hand hygiene critical to prevent COVID-19 — WHO


WHO’s Director-General, Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) says hand hygiene is one of the most effective actions to reduce the spread of pathogens and the COVID-19 virus.

WHO made this known on Tuesday in a statement posted on its website to commemorate the Global Hand Hygiene Day, celebrated yearly on May 5.

READ ALSO: Doctor who treated first US COVID patient fears second wave


According to WHO, the main goal of the Global Hand Hygiene Day campaign is to recognise that handwashing is one of the most effective actions an individual can take.

“This is to reduce the spread of pathogens and prevent infections, including the COVID-19 virus,” it said.

Hand Hygiene Day mobilises people around the world to increase adherence to hand hygiene in healthcare facilities, thus protecting healthcare workers and patients from infections.

“This year, the campaign theme: “SAVE LIVES: Clean Your Hands”, is aligned with the Year of the Nurse and the Midwife.

“It aims to recognise nurses and midwives as frontline heroes who deserve acknowledgment and appreciation and highlight their critical roles in infection prevention.

“Health workers and community members alike can play a role in preventing infections by practicing regular and frequent handwashing,” it said.

As part of the 2020 campaign, WHO and partners aim to make hand hygiene a global priority, inspire hand hygiene and behaviour change.

Also, engage with healthcare workers in their role in clean care and the prevention of infections.

READ ALSO: WHO says no proof from US on ‘speculative’ Wuhan lab virus claims


“The campaign also makes a call to action to policy-makers to provide safe work environments for nurses and improve staffing levels.

“Additionally, it calls on infection prevention and control leaders to empower nurses and midwives in providing clean care,” it said.

WHO said the campaign also contributes to the United Nations Secretary General’s Global Call to Action on Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) in healthcare facilities.


 {Vanguard Nig}

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Bill Gates, bogeyman of virus conspiracy theorists

                    Bill Gates False claims targeting billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates are gaining traction online since the beginning of the coronavirus outbreak, with experts warning they could hamper efforts to curb the virus. Doctored photos and fabricated news articles crafted by conspiracy theorists — shared thousands of times on social media platforms and messaging apps, in various languages — have gone as far as accusing the Microsoft founder of creating the outbreak. Gates, who has pledged $250 million to efforts to fight the pandemic, is the latest in a string of online targets despite the World Health Organization’s efforts to fight what it called an “infodemic” — misinformation fanned by panic and confusion about the virus. In recent months, 5G networks and Hungarian-American billionaire George Soros have also been blamed for creating COVID-19, which has killed more than 315,000 people around the world. “Bill ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Anambra lifts curfew, reopens schools

By Vincent Ujumadu Awka- ANAMBRA State government Tuesday announced the lifting of curfew imposed on the state by Governor Willie Obiano in the wake of #endSARS protests by youths across the state. Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Mr. C Don Adinuba said the lifting of the curfew followed a great improvement in the security situation in the state. Adinuba’s statement read: “Anambra State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano has decided to lift the curfew imposed in the state since last week. READ ALSO: I will sign executive order to recover looted property — Fintiri “Consequently, all educational institutions closed last week in the wake of the havoc visited on the state by gangs of arsonists and looters are hereby directed to resume normal activities. “In the same vein, all civil servants are directed to return to work immediately. “Governor Obiano thanks Anambra people for their great cooperation which enabled normalcy to return to our state within a short period. “The ...
Post a Comment
Read more