Year Issued: 2024

WASH FIT training in Uganda- 2024

A comprehensive five-day training program was conducted from August 5th to 9th, 2024, in Jinja, Uganda. The training garnered participation from a total of 43 attendees representing various central-level organizations. Notable participants included personnel from the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Water and Environment, Rural Water Sanitation Regional Centers, and specifically selected Assistant District Health Officers overseeing Environmental Health. In addition to these key stakeholders, esteemed partners such as Amref Health Africa in Uganda, the Infection Prevention Institute, Water for People, as well as national and regional staff from UNICEF and WHO were actively engaged throughout the duration of the training session.

Webinar on the Global Framework for Action 2024-2030 for WASH, waste and electricity services in HCH

The Global WASH in Healthcare Facilities Community of Practice, WHO, and UNICEF hosted a webinar on the “Global Framework for Action” on WASH in healthcare facilities on the 6th of August. The webinar is available online. The session featured a detailed presentation by WHO/UNICEF, highlighting the significance of the Global Framework and its critical role in driving progress on WASH in healthcare settings worldwide. The webinar also included insightful case studies from the Philippines and Nepal. Representatives from the Philippines presented their “Green and Safe Health Facilities Strategic Plan 2030,” showcasing innovative approaches to creating environmentally sustainable and safe healthcare environments. Meanwhile, representatives from Nepal shared their experiences on leadership engagement for improving healthcare waste management, underscoring the importance of strong leadership in achieving sustainable WASH outcomes. Find the presentation here

WASH FIT Kobo Toolbox (Global)

This version of the WASH FIT Kobo toolbox is translated to Arabic, French, Spanish, Portuguese and English. Please download it from below

Performance and acceptability of the STREAM Disinfectant Generator for infection prevention and control practices in primary health care facilities in Uganda

Effective infection prevention and control programs can positively influence quality of care, increase patient safety, and protect health care providers. Chlorine, a widely used and effective chemical disinfectant, is recommended for infection prevention and control in health care settings. However, lack of consistent chlorine availability limits its use. Electrolytic chlorine generators can address limited chlorine supply and stockouts by enabling onsite production of readily usable, high-quality chlorine cost-effectively. This research delves into assessing the viability – encompassing performance metrics, acceptability factors, chlorine accessibility, and cost considerations – of the electrolytic STREAM Disinfectant Generator developed by Aqua Research (New Mexico, USA) for bolstering infection prevention and control measures in primary healthcare facilities across Uganda. Read the findings of this research here!

Inadequate sanitation in healthcare facilities: A comprehensive evaluation of toilets inmajor hospitals in Dhaka, Bangladesh

Lack of access to functional and hygienic toilets in healthcare facilities (HCFs) is a significant public health issue in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) leading to the transmission
of infectious diseases. Globally, there is a lack of studies characterizing toilet conditions and estimating user-to-toilet ratios in large urban hospitals in LMICs. This paper presents results from the conducted cross sectional study in 10-government and two-private hospitals to explore the availability, functionality, cleanliness, and user-to-toilet ratio in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Read the paper here!