The act of handwashing - a small habit with big consequences

Every year on May 5, the world observes World Hand Hygiene Day – a timely reminder that one of the most powerful tools in our health arsenal is also the simplest: handwashing. The push toward prevention over cure is more than a policy objective, it’s a matter of sustainability. And hand hygiene stands as a unique prevention driver.

South Africa’s healthcare system, like many around the world, faces increasing pressure from rising patient loads, limited resources, and the growing burden of communicable diseases. Much of this burden, however, is preventable. Diseases such as diarrhoea, respiratory infections, and even more severe hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) are frequently transmitted via touch – whether directly from person to person or through contaminated surfaces, says Dr. Nkatelo Msimeki, GM healthcare policy and medical advisory, AfroCentric Group

In South Africa, approximately one in seven patients entering health facilities may be at risk of developing a hospital-acquired infection (HAI). These infections are associated with increased morbidity, mortality, longer hospital stays, and higher healthcare costs. Proper hand hygiene alone can reduce hospital infections by up to 50 percent according to research. Research additionally indicates that beyond healthcare settings, inadequate hand hygiene contributes significantly to the burden of communicable diseases in South Africa. Respiratory and diarrhoeal infections which can be spread through, among other ways, touch are ranked as the 2nd and 3rd leading causes of death among children under five, and the 3rd and 4th among children aged 5-14 years. Regular handwashing with soap and water is a low-cost, high- impact intervention. It is proven to dramatically reduce the incidence of these diseases. Yet, despite its simplicity, hand hygiene remains inconsistently practiced – both in healthcare settings and in our everyday lives.

Encouraging better hand hygiene isn’t just about protecting individuals; it’s about easing the systemic load on both private and public healthcare facilities. Every infection prevented is a hospital visit avoided, a bed left available, and a healthcare professional with more time to treat a critical case. This translates to better patient outcomes, improved cost-efficiency, and extending services to more people in need.

However, the call for consistent hand hygiene must be made pragmatically. In many communities, especially rural or underserved areas, reliable access to clean water remains a significant challenge. In these instances, the conversation around hygiene must evolve beyond awareness to action – advocating for infrastructure development, water security, good governance and public-private partnerships that enable universal access to sanitation resources.

Still, where possible, the act of handwashing should be promoted not as a chore, but as a shared responsibility – a small habit with big consequences.

Dr. Nkatelo Msimeki, GM healthcare policy and medical advisory, AfroCentric Group

In South Africa, approximately one in seven patients entering health facilities may be at risk of developing a hospital-acquired infection (HAI). These infections are associated with increased morbidity, mortality, longer hospital stays, and higher healthcare costs. Proper hand hygiene alone can reduce hospital infections by up to 50 percent according to research.

As we aim to improve universal access to care, especially for preventable conditions, we can empower individuals, families, and communities to play their part. Therefore, and with World Hand Hygiene Day in mind, let us reframe hygiene not just as a health tip, but as a prevention strategy. It is, quite literally, in our hands – a frontline defence that can help bend the curve from cure to care, from treatment to prevention, and from strain to sustainability.

AfroCentric Group is regarded as the most diversified healthcare company in Southern Africa. As a Level 1 B-BBEE rated investment holding company listed on the JSE, AfroCentric companies deliver a range of healthcare products and services for both private and public sectors.