The World Health Organization is gearing up for the International Hand Hygiene Day on May 5.  

There are several lead ups to the event -

--- and also an acknowledgment that infections and clean hands go together (hand in hand)......unfortunately the rates of infection took several steps backwards during the pandemic --- and have yet to achieve the gains reached prior to the pandemic.

One of the leading cause of infections is lack of following proper hand hygiene protocols...and that means having clean and safe water available.

This issue is not limited to low and middle income countries, but also high income countries.  In the US, one third of all deaths in hospital are due to sepsis -- a life-threatening condition triggered by an infection.  

Many people leave the hospital only to be re-admitted later on --- as infections that were acquired during or prior to the hospitalisation are still waging a silent war within a patient until they are out of control.  Sepsis is life threatening condition and the faster one gets to treatment, the greater likelihood of survival.  Sepsis advances quickly and a patient can die within a matter of hours.  

Just yesterday the first test for diagnosing sepsis was approved by the FDA and it includes a series of diagnostic and lab tests to identify sepsis early on.....which can make all the difference in saving a life.

The WASH Rotary Action Group was formed in 2007 by a group of Rotarians, recognized by Rotary International, and focused on WASH projects. Since then it has facilitated many hundreds of projects – helping clubs find partners, ensuring sustainability, stressing the importance of a needs-driven approach, and developing best practices. We encourage a holistic, integrated approach in which water is not the end in itself, but is rather the means to a better life and livelihood in the community. Most importantly, WASH Rotary Action Group links water and sanitation to improved hygiene, better health, and empowerment of the community – especially women, irrigation and agriculture, education and literacy and, ultimately, child mortality.

So, WASH is essential to saving lives..... https://wash-rag.org 

Hopefully we can promote these programs.....and make a splash with Hand Hygiene Day!

Pat Merryweather-Arges

Rotary International Board Vice President 2023 - 2024, Rotary International Director  2022-2024, Water, Sanitation, Hygiene Rotary Action Group Board - 2019-2025 , International Fellowship of Healthcare Professionals - Health Outcomes and Patient Safety

Rotary Club of Naperville Cell:  630-202-5579 E-Mail:  dg6450pat@aol.com

There is a series of three inter-linked webinars to get ready for World Hand Hygiene Day WHHD 2024! Each webinar will address a slightly different angle, culminating in the annual global webinar on May 6.

• Warm up for WHHD by joining us for a webinar on 16 April, from 1:00–2:00 pm CET, for an overview of the 2024 WHHD campaign, proposed activities and getting engaged with the campaign! Register here.    

• Please also join us on 23 April, from 2:00–3:30 pm CET, for a special webinar on “My 5 Moments: The Game” – Revolutionizing Hand Hygiene Education, to mark the launch of this innovative digital game. Register here.   

• Save the date for the WHHD global webinar! To celebrate the day, WHO is organizing a global webinar on 6 May, from 2:00–3:30 pm CET, where we will discuss the value of IPC and hand hygiene education and training.