Global Handwashing day takes place on 15 October 2020, but it is safe to say, that this year we are all more aware of the importance of the task. Dr Jane Nkhebenyane, acting Head of the Department of Life Sciences at CUT, has - for a few years - been active in a community engagement project to promote handwashing amongst young school learners. She is an expert in the practices which formed part of her doctoral thesis and has compiled a hand hygiene guideline.

Hand hygiene has been regarded as the core element that renders protection against multi-resistant microorganisms. Washing hands with alcohol-based rub or soap have proven to be an effective measure in the reduction of transient microorganisms. Handwashing with soap is the most effective and inexpensive way to prevent diarrheal and respiratory infections (i.e. COVID-19), which claims the lives of millions of children in developing countries every year.

Global Handwashing Day (GHD) is a global advocacy day dedicated to celebrating and advocating for handwashing with soap as an effective, affordable way to prevent diseases. CUT adopted the project when it was launched in 2008 as part of community engagement and this was conducted in partnership with various stakeholders from Free State government (Mangaung Metro Municipal Health Services, Department of Health, Human Settlement, Education, Water and Sanitation. Furthermore, PhD study (Jane Nkhebenyane) entitled ‘Food Hygiene Risks and Related Practices in Central South African HIV/AIDS Hospices’ has shown that washing hands during critical junctures significantly reduces the burden of microbial load on hands.

The correct procedure for hand washing as outlined by NICD (National Institute of Communicable Diseases

1. Wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold), turn off the tap, and apply soap.
2. Lather your hands by rubbing them together with the soap. Be sure to lather the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails.
3. Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. Need a timer? Hum the "Happy Birthday" song from beginning to end twice.
4. Rinse your hands well under clean, running water.
5. Dry your hands using a clean towel or air dry them.

Uploaded: 09 April 2020