The Department of Fundamentals of Nursing observed World Hand Hygiene Day on May 5, 2023, acting towards the theme of World Health Organization (WHO) “Accelerate Action Together- SAVE LIVES- Clean Your Hands.” A Total of 4 programs were conducted to create awareness of the steps and importance of hand hygiene. The program aligns with SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being and SDG 4: Quality Education.

Interactive teaching was done in the Anganwadi Dasharath Nagar, Manipal, by the second-semester BSc Nursing students for the children and teachers through role-play and dance. Children interacted with the students and redemonstrated the hand hygiene steps. There were 12 children, along with three teachers. The participants expressed that they enjoyed the program and learned the importance of hand hygiene steps.

A Social media campaign was done for the same in the form of short videos and images by Manipal College of Nursing faculty and students. Along with this, an Audio-Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZIU4uEQIdGo&feature=youtu.be) was created by the second-semester student Anna Maria Varghese (2nd Semester), acted by Sharon Anna Johns (2nd Semester) and Maria Cherian (Child Actor). These campaign materials were uploaded on social media sites (Instagram, YouTube, WhatsApp).

A roleplay spreading awareness on the importance of hand hygiene along with a dance on hand hygiene steps was done by the students of the second semester to create awareness among the patient and patient attendees in the three Outpatient department areas (Main OPD Block, Shirdi Saibaba Cancer Center, Women, and Child Block) of the Kasturba Hospital Manipal. At the end of the program, a pocket card with hand washing steps from WHO was distributed among them. There was a good response from the viewers, and some actively came forward to demonstrate the same.

First-year MSc Nursing Students also created awareness in the Community Health Center of Brahmavar. The awareness was in the form of role-play and a dance. Twenty participants benefitted from this program.

The activities were planned for two days; the Anganwadi teaching program was on 13th April 2023, and the other activities were on 5th May 2023. All the programs ended on a good note.