CHAMPS Emphasises Hand Hygiene as Lifesaving Tool for Paediatric Care in Bauchi
By Ahmed Ahmed
Dr. Sani Giade, a facilitator and lecturer at the College of Medical Sciences, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi, has charged paediatric healthcare workers to prioritise proper hand hygiene, describing it as one of the most effective and life-saving practices in healthcare delivery, particularly in high-risk clinical settings.
Dr. Giade made the call on Tuesday in Bauchi during a capacity-building programme organised by the Child Health and Mortality Prevention Surveillance (CHAMPS) Programme at the College of Medical Sciences, ATBU.
The training focuses on the foundations of Infection Prevention and Control (IPC), with special emphasis on hand hygiene as a critical tool for preventing infections in health facilities.
Speaking during the session, Dr. Giade noted that poor hand hygiene among healthcare workers remains a major contributor to healthcare-associated infections.
He explained that such infections often result in prolonged hospital stays, increased medical expenses, and preventable deaths, especially among vulnerable patients.
According to him, simple measures such as correct handwashing techniques and the appropriate use of alcohol-based hand rubs can significantly reduce the transmission of infections within hospitals.
He stressed that the importance of hand hygiene is even greater in units that care for newborns, children, and pregnant women.
“In places like the Special Care Baby Unit and the Emergency Paediatric and Early Pregnancy Units, hand hygiene is not optional; it is a critical safety measure that directly determines survival outcomes,” Dr. Giade said.
Participants at the training included healthcare workers from the Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU) and the Emergency Paediatric Unit/Early Pregnancy Unit (EPU) of the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH), as well as staff of the Specialist Hospital, Bauchi.
Dr. Giade explained that the programme combines theoretical sessions with practical demonstrations to ensure participants understand when and how to perform hand hygiene in line with global best practices.
He urged them to apply the knowledge consistently in their daily routines, noting that sustained behavioural change among healthcare workers would significantly improve patient safety.
The CHAMPS Programme stated that the training forms part of its broader commitment to strengthening infection prevention practices and reducing preventable child and maternal deaths in Bauchi State.
