14 October 2010

The Minister of Health Dr Aaron Motsoaledi together with the Eastern Cape health MEC Phumulo Masualle will be leading activities in the Eastern Cape as part of marking the Global Handwashing Day.

The Global Handwashing Day was initiated in 2008 by the Global Public-Private Partnership for Handwashing with Soap and is endorsed by governments, international institutions, civil society and private sector as part of preventing diseases. This global annual campaign is aimed at stimulating action at the point of care to demonstrate that hand hygiene is the starting point of reducing health care-associated infection and patient safety.

Marking this important day also serves as a call for all South Africans to wash hands regularly especially after using the toilet, changing baby nappies, handling waste and before preparing food.

Soon after his appointment as health Minister last year Motsoaledi stated his intentions to promote primary healthcare as part of preventing diseases and their spread in the community. Promoting regular washing of hands forms an important part of primary healthcare as it reduces infections. 

Media is invited to join the health Minister and his Eastern Cape counterpart as they will be leading activities to mark the GHD:

For more information please contact Fidel Hadebe on 012 395-8493 or 079 517-3333.
For directions please contact Mfezeko Mtetwa on o83 464-6151 or Siyanda Manana on 083 378-1646.

Issued by the Department of Health

ENDS