Hand Hygiene Awareness Day 5 May 2017

Fight antibiotic resistance – it’s in your hands

 

Hand Hygiene is the single most important measure to prevent infections.  In 2005 Hong Kong has pledged support to the World Health Organization (WHO)’s first Global Patient Safety Challenge: Clean Care is Saver Care, by actively promoting hand hygiene in both healthcare setting and in the community.  From 2010 onwards, Hand Hygiene Awareness Day is marked annually on 5 May in Hong Kong, in support of the WHO’s SAVE LIVES: Clean Your Hands global initiative which aims to raise the public awareness of good hand hygiene.

 

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) continues to pose a threat to global public health. In accordance with WHO’s theme this year, the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) has set its slogan as: Fight antibiotic resistance - it's in your hands, and echos WHO’s call upon healthcare workers’ action to “Clean your hands at the right times and stop the spread of antibiotic resistance”. CHP would further heighten awareness of healthcare workers and general public on the importance of good hand hygiene as one of the major components to combat AMR. The message is to be disseminated widely through different platforms and promotional materials.