Clean Hands, Safer Care: Driving Better Hygiene in UCMB Health Facilities By Kwemboi Silus- Coordinator- WASH & Energy- UCMB

Clean Hands, Safer Care: Driving Better Hygiene in UCMB Health Facilities
By Kwemboi Silus- Coordinator- WASH & Energy- UCMB, 2026

Annually, the World Hand Washing Day acts as a reminder that something as simple as clean hands saves lives. According to the World Health Organization, hands serve as the primary medium of germ transfer during care procedures, and up to thirty percent (30%) of Hospital Acquired Infections could be prevented through proper hand hygiene.
In Uganda, where healthcare institutions are continually expanding amidst increased population numbers and the looming threat of Antimicrobial Resistance, ensuring that all necessary services of Water, Sanitation, Hygiene, and energy are readily accessible becomes critical. With projects such as the WASH and Energy Competence Centre Project, the Ugandan Catholic Medical Bureau ensures that hospitals in Northern and Northeastern Uganda become prepared for providing safe care every day. Across the Catholic Health Network, handwashing is a critical foundation of Infection Prevention and Control.
The key point about hand hygiene involves availability of water points, soap and facilities to enable healthcare workers, visitors, patients and their caretakers to wash hands. It requires regular provision of water, functional infrastructure, and constant energy to operate pumps, lighting, and sterilization machines. In the hospitals supported by Uganda Catholic Medical Bureau, special initiatives such as rehabilitation of wastewater treatment plants, better water distribution, and provision of an Uninterrupted Power Supply (UPS) system ensure the functionality of hand washing points when needed- this is more pronounced in UCMB hospitals in North and North Eastern Uganda were WASH and Energy project is being implemented.
With the help of technicians, a constant flow of water in hospitals, promotes hygienic practices. Capacity building is another focus for improved handwashing. The benefit goes beyond just the hospital premises. With thousands of patients and caretakers visiting the hospitals annually, improved hand hygiene means fewer infections and better patient outcomes, as well as greater public trust in the healthcare system. With this, UCMB contributes to other Public Health objectives, such as addressing the threat of Antibiotic Resistance.
As we observe World Handwashing Day, the lesson here is that hand hygiene is not only an individual activity but also a whole system. Clean hands need access to clean water, adequate facilities, reliable energy, and skilled individuals who operate all these systems. Enhancing this basic framework is crucial for providing quality healthcare services.
The positive trends observed at various hospitals within UCMB show that through proper investment and collaboration, even challenging circumstances can be overcome. Continued efforts by governments, collaborating parties, and community stakeholders will definitely be vital to making these positive trends happen and giving access to clean hands for everyone involved in the provision of quality healthcare services.