SIBU: Proper hand hygiene must be embedded as a consistent work culture in clinical environments to ensure patient safety and the quality of health services, says Sarawak health director Dr Veronica Lugah.
She stressed that hand hygiene plays a critical role in preventing healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs), which affect hundreds of millions of patients and healthcare workers worldwide.
“If this practice is ignored, patients are at risk of prolonged hospital stays, costly antibiotic treatments, reduced antibiotic effectiveness, recurring surgeries, and increased morbidity and mortality rates,” she said.
Her speech was delivered by Sibu Hospital director Dr Nanthakumar Thirunavukkarasu at the launch of the state-level health seminar held in conjunction with World Hand Hygiene Day 2025 at Sibu Hospital on Tuesday (May 14).
A total of 205 hospital staff from across Sarawak, including nurses, attended the seminar, which was organised by Sibu Hospital in collaboration with the Infection Control Unit of the State Health Department.
Dewan Rakyat Deputy Speaker Alice Lau Kiong Yieng, who is also the Lanang MP, officiated the event.
Dr Veronica noted that World Hand Hygiene Day, observed annually on May 5, is a World Health Organisation (WHO) initiative.
This year theme, it might be gloves, it’s always hand hygiene, emphasises that gloves are not a substitute for proper hand hygiene.
She urged all healthcare personnel, particularly those involved in direct patient care at Ministry of Health (MOH) facilities, to fully embrace the message of this year’s theme.
The objectives of the celebration, she said, include promoting hand hygiene based on WHO techniques, supporting the National Strategy for Infection Prevention and Control (IPC), and fostering shared awareness and responsibility regarding the importance of hand hygiene.
Dr Veronica also highlighted the environmental impact of improper glove use and its contribution to climate change.
“I hope all the knowledge gained during this seminar will be applied in daily tasks to protect patients and enhance the quality of our health services,” she added.
Sibu Hospital deputy director Dr Nizam Ishak was also present at the event.
