By Aliyu Bala Gerengi, Gombe
The Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) unit of Gombe State Specialist Hospital, in collaboration with the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO), has commemorated World Hand Hygiene Day with the theme “It might be gloves, it’s always hand hygiene.”
Speaking at the event, the Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Dr. Sambo Dawa, emphasized the importance of hand hygiene in disease prevention. He urged the public to cultivate the habit of regular handwashing to stay healthy.
Dr. Dawa also highlighted the need for healthcare workers to consistently use hand sanitizers and gloves when interacting with patients.
In his remarks, Mr. John Solomon, an Infection Prevention and Control expert at the hospital, noted that the WHO has designated May 5th every year for the global observance of Hand Hygiene Day. He called on the public—especially vendors of perishable goods—to maintain proper hygiene.
Also speaking at the event were Dr. Umar Faruk Ismail of WHO, former CMD of the hospital Dr. Muazu Ishaq, and the hospital’s IPC focal person, Khadija Muhammad Yahaya. They all commended the IPC unit and WHO for organizing the awareness campaign and urged participants to apply the knowledge gained during the session.
Highlights of the event included a question-and-answer session and a practical handwashing demonstration.