By Issah Olegor
As nations across the globe marked World Health Day, Ghana placed a spotlight on one of the most critical yet often overlooked elements of health care — proper hand hygiene.
The Ministry of Health commemorated World Hand Hygiene Day under the global theme, “It may be gloves, it’s always hand hygiene.”
The event emphasized the vital role hand hygiene plays in preventing infections and promoting patient safety within Ghana’s health system.
This year’s observance was not merely symbolic. It tied into Ghana’s broader public health strategy and the World Health Organization’s Global Action Plan and Monitoring Framework for Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) 2024–2030.
The Minister of Health, Kwabena Mintah Akandoh, reiterated the government’s commitment to infection control, especially as the country continues to strengthen its health systems post-COVID-19.
Kwabena Akandoh explained that while gloves remain indispensable in clinical settings, they are not a substitute for hand hygiene.
“Hand hygiene must be practiced at all levels — from administrative offices to operating rooms,” he stressed.
He added that effective infection prevention is a shared responsibility that must be embraced not only in hospitals but in schools, homes, and community spaces.
Ghana’s efforts to institutionalize hand hygiene are evident in several initiatives under the national IPC framework.
These include the formation of a National IPC Committee that meets quarterly to steer policy implementation, the appointment of a national IPC focal person to coordinate interventions, and the integration of hand hygiene metrics into the country’s District Health Information Management System (DHIMS2).
In a significant policy directive, the Health Minister announced that by 2026, all regional and teaching hospitals will be mandated to monitor hand hygiene compliance regularly and integrate findings into their internal quality improvement systems.
The World Health Organization (WHO), represented at the event, provided a sobering perspective on the global state of hand hygiene compliance.
Data shared revealed that around 70% of healthcare workers do not routinely practice hand hygiene, and only half of surgical teams adhere to hand hygiene protocols throughout a patient’s hospital stay.
These figures highlight the urgency of Ghana’s commitment to promoting safer healthcare practices.
This year’s commemoration is a continuation of Ghana’s long-standing engagement with global public health initiatives. In the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic — which exposed critical gaps in infection control across many health systems — the Ministry of Health launched a revised IPC strategy in 2023 to bolster resilience and preparedness. Today’s event served as both a progress report and a call to action.
The Minister concluded by urging Ghanaians to play an active role in this national effort.
