As the Global Handwashing Day approaches, Gauteng for MEC of Health and Wellness Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko has called on parents to prioritise hand hygiene during and before childbirth to prevent the ongoing challenge of maternal deaths.
Nkomo-Ralehoko made the appeal during the launch of ‘In Safe Hands’ campaign, a partnership with leading disinfectant brand Dettol, at Melrose Arch.
The campaign is aimed at teaching and improving the overall healthcare and well-being among mother and babies, with the promotion of good hygiene practices.
The launch of the campaign comes just days before the Global Handwashing Day, which will be held on October 15, with the intention of raising awareness about the critical role of hand hygiene to health.
The event was attended by healthcare workers from different hospitals and clinics in the province, who were taught about the importance of hand washing with soap.
During her address, Nkomo-Ralehoko, emphasised the importance of the campaign, saying that it would greatly empower the health of healthcare workers, mothers and children.
She disclosed that her department has been encountering ongoing challenges in improving maternal and infant health, especially emphasising the high risks of infections during childbirth.
“The reality that we face now is that despite our efforts, maternal mortality remains a significant challenge. Every 100,000 lives and 127 mothers lose their lives.”
She said many of these deaths to the infections stem from unhygienic hands.
“So many of these deaths are caused by infections which could have been prevented through simple hygiene practices. This is an unacceptable thing. We must do everything that we can to reverse this trend.”
Nkomo-Ralehoko said they would be going out in communities across the province to teach them about the importance of tackling hand hygiene.
“We will link this campaign with our skills development programme, to teach healthcare workers and residents about the importance of keeping hand clean. We all need to be reminded about the importance of clean hands as we do almost everything with them,” Nkomo-Ralehoko.
Dr Fezeka Mafisa, an academic and researcher, stressed the importance of hand wash during and before birth, warning that hands can carry germs and infections.
“It is very important to keep your hands and body clean, during pregnancy and before birth as hands carry infections. Even after giving birth, it is important to bring your baby to a clean home as this exposes them to a new environment.”
Mafisa advised that the same hygiene practices apply during feeding, emphasising the need to clean items that babies like to chew during teething phase and properly disposing of used nappies and disinfecting reusable nappies.
Tips offered by Mafisa on how on mothers can wash hands to protect themselves and the babies:
- Wet hands with water
- Apply enough soap to cover all hand surfaces
-Rub hands palm to palm
-Right palm over over left the dorsum with interlaced fingers and vice versa
-Palm to palm with finger interlaced
- Rotational rubbing of left thumb clasped in right palm and vice versa
-Rotational rubbing, backwards and forwards with clasped finger of right hand in left palm and vice versa
-Rinse hands with water
-Dry thoroughly with a single use towel
-Use towel to turn off water tap
-And, use your hands safe
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