Every day, in all health care facilities, health care–associated infections (HAIs) continue to pose a significant threat. These infections contribute to the burden of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), cause suffering to women and their babies, their families, and health care workers, and can lead to premature death and disability. In addition, they increase health care costs and hinder efforts to ensure safe, high quality care for all people.

Every pregnant woman, every postpartum woman, and every newborn is susceptible to infection, which could lead to sepsis.

A considerable proportion of preventable infections acquired during the provision of health care could be avoided through the timely implementation of hand hygiene and other infection prevention and control (IPC) measures.

Improving and prioritizing hand hygiene in maternal health services is a feasible and equitable intervention that contributes to reducing the burden of sepsis.

PAHO organized a webinar to celebrate Hand Hygiene Day, on 5^th of May, 2026

Listen to the recording

A Simple Action, a Major Impact: Hand Hygiene Against Maternal and Neonatal Sepsis

More on Hand Hygiene Day 2026

Hand Hygiene: one action that saves lives