WORLD Hand Hygiene Day, observed annually on 5 May, is a global reminder of the importance of clean hands in preventing disease and saving lives.

In 2026, the world marks the 18th year of the World Health Organization’s “SAVE LIVES: Clean Your Hands” campaign, which continues to emphasize hand hygiene as one of the simplest, most effective and most affordable public health interventions.

In Pakistan, this message carries particular urgency. Despite gradual improvements in the health system, preventable infections remain a major public health challenge. Healthcare-associated infections remain common in healthcare facilities due to weak infection prevention and control practices, increasing patient suffering, prolonging hospital stays and adding financial strain to an already resource-limited health system.

Hand hygiene is widely recognized as the most cost-effective measure to reduce the spread of........

© Pakistan Observer