The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) launched today a year-long campaign to promote handwashing to safeguard community health.
“International studies show that keeping hands clean can not
only prevent the transmission of up to 80 per cent of drug-resistant bacteria
(pathogenic bacteria) in hospitals, but also prevent approximately 30 per cent
of diarrhea-related illnesses and about 20 per cent of respiratory infections,”
according to CHP Controller Dr Edwin Tsui.
The launch was in support of World Hand Hygiene Day,
promulgated by the World Health Organization (WHO).
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The campaign promotes the seven steps of hand hygiene:
thoroughly rubbing the palms, backs of hands, finger webs, backs of fingers,
thumbs, fingertips, and wrists for at least 20 seconds to ensure thorough
cleaning.
“Under the slogan 'Clean Hands Bring Health', the CHP's
campaign this year will feature a step-by-step flowchart and reminder stickers
on hand hygiene, or promotional videos at over 2 200 locations throughout Hong
Kong, including public and private hospitals, government clinics, District
Health Centres, residential care homes for the elderly, elderly service units
under the Social Welfare Department (SWD), public markets, and cooked food
markets.
The CHP also collaborated with various stakeholders,
including the Hospital Authority, private hospitals, the Food and Environmental
Hygiene Department and the SWD, to build a hand hygiene-friendly environment
and disseminate health messages about hand hygiene to the community, building
upon the provision of hand hygiene facilities by these institutions.
CHP said people should clean their hands promptly at the
following moments to prevent the spread of diseases:
- Before and after touching one's eyes, nose, or mouth;
- Before eating or preparing food;
- After using the toilet;
- After hands are contaminated by respiratory secretions (such as after coughing or sneezing);
- After changing diapers for children or the sick, or handling soiled items;
- After touching animals, poultry, or their droppings;
- After handling garbage;
- After touching public installations or equipment (such as escalator handrails, elevator buttons, or door handles);
- Before and after visiting hospitals, residential care homes, or caring for the sick; and
- Whenever hands are visibly dirty.
