To reaffirm shared commitment to the SAVE LIVES: Clean Your Hands campaign and raise awareness about hand hygiene in healthcare settings, Namibia commemorated the World Hand Hygiene Day at Windhoek Central Hospital on 08 May 2025. The event served as a reminder of the importance of reducing healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) and combating antimicrobial resistance through the Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) programme.

The day was observed under the theme: It Might Be Gloves. It’s Always Hand Hygiene, a powerful reminder that while gloves can provide a protective barrier, they must never replace proper hand hygiene.

The Minister of Health and Social Services, Dr. Esperance Luvindao highlighted that the event is not only a celebration but also a call to action. “Proper hand hygiene, when practiced consistently and correctly, represents more than compliance; it protects our patients, our front-line workers, and our broader communities,” she stated. The Minister further emphasized that hand hygiene remains critical both before and after glove use.

Healthcare-associated infections continue to threaten patient safety, with 1 out of every 10 patients in low- and middle-income countries acquire at least one HAI globally.

Dr. Richard Banda, WHO Representative to Namibia, highlighted that over 24% of patients with sepsis from HAIs, and more than half of those treated in intensive care units, die each year. “These figures highlight the urgent need for effective infection prevention and control, with hand hygiene at the centre,” he emphasized. He further urged Namibia to integrate hand hygiene into national IPC strategies and facility-level standard operating procedures. He also stressed the need to educate healthcare workers on appropriate glove use, reinforcing that gloves must never replace hand hygiene in healthcare settings.

In addition, the UNICEF Representative to Namibia, Mr. Samuel Ocran, commended the MoHSS for its commitment to assessing Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) conditions and implementing Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) guidelines in 21 health facilities providing maternal and neonatal care. He further announced UNICEF’s support for the refurbishment of six maternity and neonatal wards in 6 regions will enhance WASH infrastructure and ensure quality care.

The event also launched three national documents, developed with the support of the Government of Japan namely, the Clinical and Death Audit Guidelines, the Standard Operating Procedure for Assessing Patient Experience, and the Paediatric Care Booklets.

“The Government of Japan remains committed to advancing quality and safe healthcare services for all, with particular attention to the needs of vulnerable and underserved populations,” said His Excellency Shinichi Asazuma, Ambassador of Japan to Namibia. “By supporting initiatives that strengthen health systems, enhance service standards, and promote patient safety, Japan contributes to building resilient healthcare systems that deliver effective, dignified, and equitable care,” he added.