On the occasion of World Hand Hygiene Day, celebrated on May 5, the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Family, Integration and the Greater Region launched the 6th national campaign to hand hygiene.
Hand hygiene: an important defense in the fight against antibiotic resistance
One of the easiest and most effective methods of reducing infections is good hand hygiene. It is also an important defense in the fight against antibiotic resistance.
The campaign slogan “Fight antibiotic resistance - it's in your hands” emphasizes that we are all concerned in the fight against antibiotic resistance. Inappropriate use of antibiotics promotes the development of resistant bacteria. Antibiotics then become ineffective. By washing our hands, we can reduce the number of infections and thus reduce the use of antibiotics and effectively fight antimicrobial resistance.
On the one hand, the campaign is aimed at the general public, recalling the importance of washing hands with soap and water - especially when hands are dirty, after blowing their nose, before each meal. And after going to the toilet - to avoid infections.
On the other hand, the campaign targets health professionals and supervisory staff by encouraging them to disinfect their hands before and after any contact with the patient using a hydro-alcoholic solution.
Proper hand hygiene is still the easiest, most effective, and cheapest way to prevent healthcare associated infections. The rates of healthcare associated infections (also called nosocomial infections) and antibiotic resistant bacteria decrease when hand hygiene is followed.