Credit: Pixabay

On the occasion of World Hand Hygiene Day, celebrated each year on 5 May at the initiative of the World Health Organization (WHO), Luxembourg's Ministry of Health recalls the importance of this gesture both in healthcare sector than in the general population.

Hand hygiene is a public health measure and it is one of the first actions recommended and recalled by the WHO from the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Good hand hygiene saves lives!

Hand hygiene remains crucial and is one of the most effective methods to prevent and reduce the spread of disease-causing bacteria and viruses. During the pandemic, the practice of handwashing has increased around the world, but this practice must be maintained and supported. Indeed, this simple gesture has proven to be one of the important reflexes to reduce the incidence, transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and mortality linked to COVID-19.

When and why to wash your hands regularly?

By washing your hands regularly, you reduce the chances of spreading bacteria and viruses and preserve the health of others.

Good hand hygiene does not only concern healthcare professionals, patients or visitors to hospital establishments, but also the entire population in their daily lives.

The Ministry recalled that these gestures are to be adopted in everyday life, such as:

  • After touching his mask;
  • Before eating;
  • Before and after cooking;
  • After going to the toilet;
  • After blowing nose;
  • After handling the trash cans or changing baby's diaper;
  • After touching cat or dog etc.

During health care, it is recommended that health professionals systematically practice, on clean hands, hand disinfection using a hydro-alcoholic solution before touching a patient in order to reduce the risk of healthcare-associated infections as much as possible.

More information is available online via: https://sante.public.lu/fr/espace-citoyen/dossiers-thematiques/h/hygiene/hygiene-mains.html.