The Global Handwashing Day(GHD) is annually observed across the globe on 15th October to raise awareness about the importance of handwashing with soap and water in preventing the spread of infections and diseases.
- 15th October 2024 marks the observance of the 17th GHD.
Theme:
The theme of Global Handwashing Day 2024 is “Why are clean hands still important?”.
- The 2024 theme highlights the importance of clean hands in preventing outbreaks and pandemics, particularly in areas with limited access to healthcare.
Background:
i.Global Handwashing Day(GHD) was initiated by the Global Handwashing Partnership (GHP) in August 2008 during the annual World Water Week in Stockholm, Sweden.
ii.The first-ever GHD was observed on 15th October 2008.
Note: Annually the World Health Organization (WHO) celebrates World Hand Hygiene Day on 5th May to raise awareness of the importance of handwashing to prevent the spread of infections.
Global Handwashing Partnership:
i.The Global Handwashing Partnership works to save children’s lives and improve health by promoting the important habit of handwashing with soap.
ii.It is a coalition of international stakeholders who work explicitly to promote handwashing with soap and recognize hygiene as a pillar of international development and public health.
Handwashing:
Handwashing is one of the most efficient and low-cost methods of preventing infections such as diarrhoea and pneumonia.
Benefits :
i.Handwashing can significantly reduce the number of young children who get sick and reduce the number of school days children miss because of gastrointestinal illness by 29 to 57%.
ii.Handwashing can also reduce respiratory illnesses, like colds, in the general population by about 16%–21%
