Tuesday, 5 May, 2026 was ‘World Hand Hygiene Day and to mark the day, the Federal Neuro Psychiatric Hospital (FNPH), Benin City, Edo State organised a lecture on proper hand washing practice for its workforce.
The event which was held at the conference hall brought together workers from the various departments of the hospital, stakeholders and other professionals. This year’s World Hand Hygiene Day had the theme: ‘Action Saves Lives – Safer Care.’
Speaking on the theme, Dr Atim O. Archibong, Chairman of Infection, Prevention and Control Committee of the hospital pointed out the importance of hand hygiene particularly in the health sector.
She emphasised that the hands remains one of the easiest mediums for the transfer of infectious diseases from person to person. Therefore, as the day is being marked globally by the World Health Organisation (WHO), individuals must learn how to properly wash their hands.
According to Dr. Archibong, the WHO has identified that about 1.4m patients suffer from hospital acquired infection globally.
This further underline the necessity for everyone to wash hands and make hand hygiene a compulsory habit, she adds.
Dr Archibong warned that the hospital is a high touch environment, and suggested that hand sanitisers should always be made available.
The lecture highlighted that simple actions of proper hand washing and sanitising can significantly reduce the risk and spread of infectious diseases within the hospital community.
Earlier delivering the opening address, the Chief host, Dr. Imafidon Osama Agbonile, Medical Director of FNPH Benin who was represented by the Director of Administration, Mrs Clara O. Isede applauded the organising committee for the event, particularly for teaching the newly employed staff on the importance of hand washing and hygiene in prevention of infections and saving lives.
The Director of Administration, emphasised that all sensitive parts of the hospital should be paid proper attention.
This is to avoid communicable diseases or infections adding that with clean hands, one has safer care and healthier life.
