CALAMBA MEDICAL CENTER wins Infection Control Initiative of the Year - Philippines at Healthcare Asia Awards 2026

The hospital built a culture-driven hand hygiene programme that strengthened infection prevention.

CALAMBA MEDICAL CENTER received an accolade in the Infection Control Initiative of the Year - Philippines category at the Healthcare Asia Awards 2026 for its hand hygiene programme led by the CMC Disease Prevention and Control Center. The initiative introduced sustained activities and monitoring systems that promoted proper hand hygiene practices amongst healthcare workers, patients, and visitors. The programme aligned with World Health Organization guidelines and national infection prevention standards whilst strengthening awareness across clinical and non-clinical areas.

The initiative centred on “Isa Puso ang Hand Hygiene,” a campaign launched in 2018 and observed annually during Valentine’s Day.

The programme connected infection prevention with the message of shared responsibility across hospital teams.
Activities included quizzes, reminders placed across hospital areas, and engagement programmes designed to reinforce proper hand hygiene practices. These activities encouraged participation from staff, patients, and visitors.

Global health observances also formed part of the hospital’s infection prevention strategy. World Hand Hygiene Day and Global Handwashing Day were integrated into annual activities to reinforce proper hand hygiene practices. Campaigns included Glo Germ simulation demonstrations, slogan-making competitions, and educational activities conducted within departments.

Monitoring supported the programme through direct observation, CCTV review, and structured unit-level audits conducted by infection prevention representatives within departments. Monitoring coverage expanded from 10 areas to 34 departments, including additional clinical and high-risk units. The expanded monitoring framework recorded a hand hygiene compliance rate of 95% in 2025, reflecting broader audit coverage and stricter monitoring standards.

Hospital-wide reminders also supported the programme through public announcement systems, posters, and desktop screensavers installed across workstations. Additional initiatives encouraged patients and companions to maintain proper hand hygiene practices beyond hospital settings through programmes such as “Make Hand Hygiene a Habit” and “Bring Home the Hand Hygiene.” These activities promoted consistent hand hygiene practices within hospital facilities and at home.

Healthcare Asia Awards is an awards programme focused on acknowledging exceptional hospitals across Asia that redefine the standards of excellence in the healthcare industry. It proudly shines a spotlight on Asian hospitals that consistently go beyond conventional boundaries to provide top-tier patient care and have a lasting impact on their local communities.

The Healthcare Asia Awards is presented by Healthcare Asia Magazine. To view the full list of winners, click here. If you want to join the 2027 awards programme and be acclaimed for your organisation's remarkable initiatives and contributions to the healthcare industry, please contact Julie Anne Nuñez-Difuntorum at [email protected].