Press Release: Tuesday 05 May 2026
Minister for Health marks World Hand Hygiene Day 2026
The Minister for Health, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill TD, has today marked World Hand Hygiene Day, relaying Ireland’s support for this initiative. World Hand Hygiene Day is an international initiative led by the World Health Organisation (WHO), and it forms part of their “SAVE LIVES: Clean Your Hands” annual global campaign.
World Hand Hygiene Day 2026 promotes optimal hand hygiene practices and appropriate glove use with the theme, “Action saves lives”. Practicing good hand hygiene is one of the most important and simple things that we can do to protect our health. A large proportion of avoidable infections acquired during the delivery of healthcare could be prevented with hand hygiene and infection prevention and control (IPC) action at the right times.
Minister Carroll MacNeill said:
“I would like to echo the theme of the WHO’s campaign ‘SAVE LIVES: Clean Your Hands’. The effectiveness of hand hygiene cannot be underestimated. Clean hands mean better and safer care for patients and families, while protecting our healthcare workers from the spread of infections. By working together and keeping our hands clean, we can all play our part to help keep each other safe.”
Chief Nursing Officer, Rachel Kenna, added:
“Two of the most important measures that healthcare workers can take to protect everyone in all healthcare facilities are having good hand hygiene and the appropriate wearing of gloves. World Hand Hygiene Day is a great reminder for us all that everyone – patients, visitors, clinical staff, and all healthcare workers – play an important part in reducing infections through clean hands.”
Dr Eimear Brannigan, HSE Clinical Lead for Antimicrobial Resistance and Infection Control (AMRIC), explains:
“Promoting optimal hand hygiene is a core element of infection prevention and control practices across our health services. Good hand hygiene is the single most important and effective thing we can do to help stop the spread of infection. Evidence tells us that by cleaning our hands properly, we can help reduce the prevalence of healthcare associated infections and the spread of antimicrobial resistance.
“We all have a role to play when it comes to good hand hygiene; it’s not just healthcare workers. In marking World Hand Hygiene Day, we use the opportunity to share information and resources, and ensure everyone understands how they can help reduce the spread of infection in healthcare settings or in their own homes.”