Global Handwashing Day (GHD) is a global advocacy day dedicated to increasing awareness about the importance of hand hygiene and triggering lasting change from the policy-level to community-driven action. Founded by the Global Handwashing Partnership, the day serves as an opportunity to design, test, and replicate creative ways to encourage people to wash their hands at critical times.

Why are clean hands still important?

This year’s Global Handwashing Day theme reflects an important question, “Why are clean hands still important?” While significant progress in hand hygiene awareness has been made, maintaining and improving hand hygiene behaviors remains crucial beyond public health emergencies, including the COVID-19 pandemic. Clean hands remain a fundamental defence against the spread of infections, illnesses, and harmful germs. Practicing handwashing with soap contributes to better health outcomes and a safer world for everyone.

The benefits of clean hands

Hand hygiene, whether through handwashing with soap or alcohol-based handrub, can help reduce the transmission of a range of diseases:

Proper hand hygiene has also been linked to benefits beyond disease reduction, such as reduced rates of school absenteeism and improvements in wellbeing, dignity, and productivity.

Why are clean hands still important for businesses?

Promoting hand hygiene is crucial for both businesses and suppliers. For businesses, effective hand hygiene practices can significantly reduce the spread of infectious diseases, leading to fewer employee sick days and increased productivity. Research indicates that proper hand hygiene can lower the incidence of hygiene-preventable health care claims by over 20%. Additionally, businesses that prioritise employee health and safety through robust hand hygiene practices can enhance their reputation and employee satisfaction, which not only improves workplace morale but can also reduce employee healthcare costs associated with treating preventable illnesses.

For suppliers, ensuring a consistent supply of hand hygiene products is vital for public health. Ensuring available and affordable hygiene products is a pre-condition to practice good hand hygiene. During health crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, disruptions in supply chains for hand hygiene products can lead to increased infection and mortality rates. By collaborating with governments, NGOs, and other health system actors, suppliers can help create resilient supply chains that withstand disruptions and meet the demand for essential products. Sustainable supply chains ensure that hand hygiene products are accessible and affordable to underserved communities, reducing health disparities and promoting overall public health. A reliable supply chain also supports the implementation of hand hygiene programs and interventions, essential for preventing the spread of infectious diseases.

To effectively implement hand hygiene practices, businesses should install and maintain handwashing stations in key areas – near toilets, in the kitchen, and in other shared office spaces – educate and motivate employees on proper handwashing techniques and ensure a steady supply of hygiene products. Integrating hand hygiene into workplace safety and health policies helps institutionalise these practices. Regular policy reviews ensure they remain aligned with best practices and current public health guidelines. Implementing a system to monitor hand hygiene compliance allows for ongoing assessment and improvement of hand hygiene practices.

By adopting these hand hygiene-focused strategies, businesses can protect employee and customer health, enhance their reputation, and support broader public health efforts, while suppliers can build sustainable supply chains for hand hygiene products. This unified approach enhances workplace well-being, supports public health, and strengthens overall resilience against disruptions.

What can you do?

Understanding the importance of clean hands is only the first step. To maintain this crucial practice, all stakeholders must collaborate effectively. Every individual and organisation has a role to play in promoting hand hygiene. To ensure that the importance of clean hands is recognised and upheld:

  • Governments should prioritise integrating and budgeting for hand hygiene in national response and resilience plans, as well as long-term development strategies.
  • Donors should invest in programs that prioritise hand hygiene, promote access to hand hygiene facilities, and contribute to both public health and economic resilience.
  • Suppliers should collaborate with governments, health systems, and NGOs to ensure sustainable supply chains for hand hygiene products.
  • Businesses should prioritise hand hygiene for employee health and safety.
  • Institutional actors should implement a multi-faceted approach to scale up hand hygiene in communities, including promotion, accessible facilities, regular monitoring, and behaviour reinforcement.
  • Academics should fill hand hygiene evidence gaps and translate research into practical resources for hand hygiene intervention and program development.

To learn more about our collective efforts to achieve clean hands for all, visit the Global Handwashing Partnership website here.

 

Source: www.globalhandwashing.org