REPORT OF GLOBAL HANWASHING DAY 2026
To commemorate Global Hand washing Day, the Department of Public Health Dentistry of Azeezia College of Dental Science & Research and the NSS Unit organized various activities, which involved brochure designing and creating an awareness video. Global Handwashing Day is observed every year on October 15 to raise awareness about the importance of handwashing . It promotes proper hand hygiene as a simple and effective way to prevent the spread of infections and diseases. The day encourages people to adopt regular handwashing habits to protect their health and maintain a clean environment.
As part of the Global Handwashing Day , a brochure developed World Health Organization (WHO) was used to educate the public about the correct methods of handwashing. The brochure provided standardized information on proper hand hygiene practices and the recommended steps for effective handwashing. The brochure highlighted the importance of washing hands with soap and water and explained the correct technique to ensure that all surfaces of the hands are cleaned thoroughly.
An educational video titled “The Do’s and Don’ts of Hand Hygiene” was created to emphasize the importance of proper hand hygiene in preventing infections and promoting public health. The video explained the correct method of handwashing, including the use of soap and clean running water,washing hands for at least 20 seconds, and cleaning all surfaces of the hands, including the palms, backs of the hands, spaces between the fingers, thumbs, and fingertips. The video further addressed common mistakes to avoid, such as relying on water alone, rushing through handwashing, touching the eyes, nose, or mouth with unclean hands, and drying hands using unclean towels.
Special emphasis was placed on hand hygiene in dental practice, including performing hand hygiene before and after patient contact and following appropriate clinical protocols. The video also highlighted that gloves do not replace hand hygiene and that disposable gloves should never be reused.
The Global Handwashing Day awareness activities included the use of a WHO brochure on handwashing methods and the creation of an educational video highlighting the do’s and don’ts of hand hygiene. These activities aimed to improve awareness of proper handwashing techniques and emphasize the importance of hand hygiene in preventing infections. Special attention was given to hand hygiene in dental practice to promote patient safety and infection control. Overall, these initiatives highlighted the importance of adopting proper hand hygiene practices in daily life and healthcare settings to promote a healthier community.
