This morning, health officials and community members across Eswatini gathered to mark World Hand Hygiene Day under the theme “It Must Be Gloves, but It’s Still Hand Hygiene.” The event, hosted by Health Promotion Eswatini, underscored the critical importance of proper hand hygiene in preventing infections and safeguarding public health.

Delivering the keynote address, Dr Bongiwe Malinga, Deputy Director of Clinical Services at the Ministry of Health, revealed troubling findings from the 2024 Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Assessment. “Our hand hygiene compliance has dropped to 25%,” she reported. “This is a significant decline from the over 70% compliance rate observed during the COVID-19 era. The decline serves as a stark reminder that we must not be complacent. The fight against infections continues because it is the most effective.”

Dr Malinga emphasized that while gloves provide a barrier during clinical procedures, they cannot replace the fundamental practice of handwashing. “Whether you’re a healthcare worker or at home, clean hands are your first line of defence,” she said. Attendees were reminded that proper technique—using soap and water or alcohol-based hand rub for at least 20 seconds—is essential for removing pathogens that cause diseases such as diarrhoea, respiratory infections, and healthcare-associated infections.

Statistics presented at the event highlighted that in Eswatini, sub-optimal hand hygiene contributes to an estimated 30% of hospital-acquired infections, imposing additional burdens on the healthcare system. To reverse this trend, the Ministry of Health announced a series of nationwide initiatives:

1. Facility-Level Training: Refresher courses for all clinical staff on WHO’s “Five Moments for Hand Hygiene.”
2. Public Awareness Campaigns: Radio spots and community outreach to demonstrate proper handwashing techniques.
3. School-Based Programs: Integration of hand hygiene education into the primary and secondary school curricula.
4. Monitoring and Feedback: Monthly compliance audits with real-time feedback to healthcare teams.

In closing, Dr Malinga issued a challenge to every Eswatini citizen: “Have you washed your hands today? By recommitting to this simple act, we protect ourselves, our families, and our communities.”

The commemoration concluded with a public demonstration at the Mbabane Central Market, where volunteers distributed soap, installed hand-sanitizer stations, and guided passersby through the correct handwashing technique. Health Promotion Eswatini urged everyone to join the global pledge: to clean hands at critical moments and make hand hygiene a lasting habit.