The World Hand Hygiene Day (WHHD) 2026 report highlights the successful organization of a national-level program held on May 5–6, 2026, at Hospital Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah (HSAAS), UPM. Celebrating its 18th year with the slogan "Action Saves Lives," the campaign is part of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) global effort to improve hand hygiene practices among healthcare workers. This particular event was a collaborative effort between HSAAS, the Ministry of Health Malaysia (MOH), and University Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC), gathering 100 healthcare professionals including Infection Prevention and Control Medical Officers and Nurses.

The two-day program was designed to be highly interactive and participant-centered, focusing on enhancing clinical competency through the WHO "My 5 Moments for Hand Hygiene" concept. Beyond individual skills, the workshop utilized a Training of Trainers (TTT) approach to empower participants to implement structured training and promotional activities at their respective facilities. Furthermore, the sessions aimed to improve capacity in monitoring and evaluating compliance data, while providing a practical platform for learning through simulations, case discussions, and role-play. This initiative also served to strengthen strategic collaboration networks between the Ministry of Health and academic institutions.

Recognition of excellence was a key component of the event, with the Hand Hygiene Excellence Award being presented to the Departments of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, Orthopaedic, and Paediatrics for their outstanding compliance levels. Additionally, Dr. Aizad Bin Azahar and Sr Nurulnadia binti Rahimi were personally recognized for their commitment and contributions to Infection Prevention and Control at HSAAS. The program concluded with a closing address by Prof. Dr. Sasheela Sri La Ponnampalavanar, who emphasized that the event provided significant professional value while promoting clinical responsibility and sustainability in healthcare practices.

Date of Input: 14/05/2026 | Updated: 14/05/2026 | ahmadfaiq