Saint Lucia’s Health Ministry has underscored the importance of handwashing for healthcare workers, noting that their contaminated hands are the primary source of pathogen spread.
Chief Nursing Officer Kerthney Charlemagne-Surage disclosed that handwashing, when done correctly, is the most effective and cost-efficient intervention in the health care setting.
Charlemagne-Surage noted that “some health care workers may need to wash their hands as many as one hundred times during a work shift.”
Her remarks came in a message to mark World Hand Hygiene Day, observed on May 5.
The Chief Nursing Officer declared that handwashing could prevent the spread of germs, including those resistant to antibiotics, reducing infection risk, overall healthcare costs and improving health outcomes.
Charlemagne-Surage indicated that handwashing among the general population was equally important, as the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted.
She said the Ministry of Health would conduct interactive educational sessions on hand hygiene throughout May.
The venues will be wellness centres, primary schools, and small business places.
In addition, the Ministry will hold training sessions for all healthcare workers.
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I hate to say this – handwashing is PARAMOUNT for every healthcare professional and for the public as well.