The Ministry of Health of Peru announced on May 4 that it is promoting hand hygiene practices among healthcare workers and the public as part of World Hand Hygiene Day, observed every May 5. The initiative aims to highlight the importance of handwashing as an effective measure to prevent infections in health services.
According to the ministry, proper hand hygiene has proven to be a key practice that saves lives in healthcare environments. The ministry is reinforcing this measure at all points of care, emphasizing that it is the first step toward reducing healthcare-associated infections and improving patient safety.
The campaign encourages commitment from all health establishments to strengthen hand hygiene practices. The ministry noted that hospitalized patients are often vulnerable due to post-operative conditions or weakened immune systems, which increases their risk for infections.
Through Ministerial Resolution No. 255-2016/Minsa, the health sector approved a technical guide for implementing hand hygiene processes in health facilities. This guide details “My Five Moments for Hand Hygiene”—before patient contact, before aseptic tasks, after exposure risk to body fluids, after patient contact, and after touching patient surroundings—to protect both healthcare personnel and patients.
The resolution also outlines correct techniques for washing hands with antiseptic soap or foam: wetting hands with water; applying enough soap; rubbing palms together; interlacing fingers while rubbing palms and backs of hands; rotating thumbs within opposite palms; cleaning fingertips against opposing palms; rinsing thoroughly with water; drying carefully with paper towels; and using a towel to close the faucet.
The Ministry calls on not only healthcare staff but also patients and visitors to adopt these practices consistently and correctly. According to the announcement, this will help protect those recovering in medical facilities.
