LUCKNOW, Feb. 9 -- Command Hospital, Lucknow, took part in a nationwide hand sanitisation exercise under a pan-Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS) initiative, aimed at reinforcing infection prevention and patient safety practices across military healthcare institutions. The exercise was held on Shivam Lawns within the hospital campus and formed part of a coordinated attempt to create a record for the "largest nationwide hand sanitisation exercise by defence personnel". Similar activities were conducted simultaneously at several armed forces medical establishments across the country in association with the Indian Book of Records and the Asia Book of Records. At Command Hospital, 512 uniformed personnel and civilian staff participated in the drill. The participants included doctors, nursing officers, paramedical staff and cadets from the three services. They demonstrated the World Health Organisation's six-step hand sanitisation technique using alcohol-based hand rubs, following prescribed hand hygiene protocols. Officials said the initiative was organised to mark 100 years of the Military Nursing Service and to reiterate the importance of hand hygiene as a basic yet critical measure in preventing hospital-acquired infections. Medical professionals note that proper hand sanitisation significantly reduces the risk of infection transmission in healthcare settings. Brigadier Vikas Srivastava, deputy commandant of Command Hospital (CC) Lucknow, was present on the occasion and stressed the need for strict adherence to six-step hand hygiene practices in routine clinical work. He said consistent compliance plays a key role in improving patient safety and healthcare outcomes....