''Accelerate action together'' is the slogan of the World Hand Hygiene Day 2023 campaign.

Hand hygiene saves millions of lives every year when performed at the right moments during health care delivery. It is also a smart investment that offers exceptional return for each dollar invested. Clean care is a sign of respect to those who seek care, and it protects health and other workers who provide that care.


Now is a critical time when countries across the world need to accelerate implementation of lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic and increase investments to close gaps in infection prevention and control (IPC), including hand hygiene. Indeed, many countries are demonstrating strong engagement and advancements in scaling-up those actions, but overall, the progress is slow, and gains are at risk.


Together, we can galvanize action on preventing infections and antimicrobial resistance in health care. Strong and engaged communities of health workers, policy makers and civil society organizations (CSOs) can accelerate and sustain action at the point of care to keep people safe and healthy.


For World Hand Hygiene Day 2023, we put CSOs in focus. Driven by their passion, values and strong social justice agendas, and often in close proximity to the communities they serve, CSOs can spearhead and accelerate change at local, national and international levels. WHO is calling on all CSOs and other partner organizations (e.g. members of the Global IPC Network) to engage with the campaign and accelerate progress at achieving effective hand hygiene at point of care!

 
Learn more about the  SAVE LIVES – Clean Your Hands campaign.

Millions of people contract infections while receiving health care every year. But many of those infections and the harm they cause to patients, can be avoided. For 2023, WHO's message is clear: act now, and accelerate action together to prevent infections and antimicrobial resistance in health care. Use this short video to share this important message with others and to encourage participation in WHHD. Visit the campaign website for more information and ways to engage.

World Hand Hygiene Day 2023: Accelerate action together.

The WHO would like to thank all our partners for their continued efforts to promote WHHD and accelerate progress at achieving effective hand hygiene at point of care! To learn more, read the latest newsletter below and see how health and care workers and others are celebrating around the world.