The department of Medical Microbiology, FMC, Keffi, Nasarawa State, on 5th of May embarked on sensitization of the hospital community on infection prevent and control through basic hand hygiene, as part of activities marking this year’s World Hand Hygiene Day.The sensitisation programme was carried out within the Centre. The Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Infection Prevention Control Unit, presented series of activities like; health talks, sensitisation walk, within the Centre.This year’s World Hand Hygiene Day has as it theme “UNITE FOR SAFETY – CLEAN YOUR HANDS.The Head of the Department, Dr. Martins Yakubu, led other members of staff , for this year’s celebration. Starting the awareness from the Administrative Building, the Medical Director, Dr. Yahaya Baba Adamu, represented by the Head of Clinical Services, Dr. Christopher Ejikeme Edeh, highlighted the importance of hand hygiene and the need to conscientize health workers, patients and others that visit the Centre for medical care, inorder not to be infected with infection that they never had before accessing medical care. i.e ‘coming for malaria case and going back with hepatitis or other infections that will keep them longer than expected.He also pledged that the Management will always be supportive to the department’s dream and will also work on the recommendations that the department will present to the Management.Furthermore, he appreciated the department for working diligently and declared the event opened.Other Management staff present included the NODAL Officer/Head of SERVICOM, Head of Nursing Services and Head of Pharmaceutical Services, who in their good will messages, acknowledged the department for creating the awareness. The Head of Pharmacy look forward for compounding of hand sanitizer for public consumption in subsequent awareness campaigns. The awareness campaign was taken to the following departments/units, paediatrics, DOTS, Medical Social Works, Medical Laboratory, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Accident and Emergency and the General Outpatient Department (GOPD), among others.


