World Hand Hygiene Day 2026: Theme and WHO Campaign
Why in the news
The annual health awareness day was marked on 5 May 2026 to stress clean hands as a way to stop infections and make patient care safer.
Key facts
- Date: 5 May 2026.
- Purpose: encourage proper hand hygiene to prevent infections and improve patient safety.
- 2026 theme: “Action saves lives – Safer care starts with clean hands”.
- Linked campaign: WHO’s SAVE LIVES: Clean Your Hands, launched in 2009.
About the observance
The day draws attention to worldwide efforts at infection prevention and builds on the WHO campaign started in 2009.
Exam angle
- Date to remember: 5 May.
- Organisation behind the campaign: World Health Organization (WHO).
- Campaign year: 2009; slogan about cleaning your hands.