“Clean hands save lives” and “Applaud health-care workers” campaigns celebrated in North Macedonia

In North Macedonia, midwives and nurses were honoured with ear-deafening applause as over 500 health-care professionals joined in for a 5 May “clap” initiative at the 6 hospitals that treat COVID-19 patients in the country. The hospitals and their health-care workers have been rewarded with the “Clean hands” certificate of recognition by WHO.

“Handwashing and hygiene are crucial to preventing the spread of viruses,” said the North Macedonian Minister of Health, Dr Venko Filipche, in his statement for the day. “This is one of the first recommendations we have given and remains the basic and most reliable mechanism for protection against COVID-19. Clean hands save lives.”

More than 500 doctors, nurses and midwives received the WHO certificate that marks Global Hand Hygiene Day and International Day of the Midwife, celebrated on 5 May each year. This year, WHO shines a spotlight in particular on the work of nurses and midwives across the WHO European Region as the campaign theme “Save lives: clean your hands”, is aligned with the International Year of the Nurse and the Midwife 2020.

“With the international day, WHO recognizes nurses and midwives as frontline heroes who deserve acknowledgment and appreciation, and highlights their important role in delivering clean care for infection prevention and control,” said Dr Jihane Tawilah, WHO Representative in North Macedonia. She added: “Nurses devote their lives to caring for members of the community of all ages, including mothers and children; giving lifesaving immunizations and health advice; and looking after older people – and they merit our unwavering recognition and support”.