Assessment of WASH Services in Health Care Facilities in Wassa-East and Asutifi North Districts
By RCN Ghana · 03 September 2023
The 98th National Level Alliance meeting convened on August 31, 2023, at the Coconut Regency Hotel in Accra brought together stakeholders from District Assemblies, Ministries, NGOs, civil society, academia, and Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) consultants. The focus of the discussion was Strengthening Systems for WASHservices in Healthcare Facilities in Ghana. WaterAid Ghana presented findings from a two-month assessment of WASH in health care facilities in Wassa-East and Asutifi North Districts, emphasizing the importance of addressing the poor water and sanitation situation in these regions.
Background and Context:
Access to safe WASH services is not just an output but a critical outcome that significantly improves public health. The importance of having reliable WASH services in healthcare facilities extends beyond infection prevention; it ensures the satisfaction and confidence of patients, particularly women and children. Despite the vital role of hand hygiene in reducing infectious diseases, it has been chronically under-prioritized and lacks sufficient investments from the government and development partners.
WaterAid Ghana's Initiative:
WaterAid Ghana is implementing a project to strengthen WASH and health systems in Wassa-East and Asutifi North Districts. The project aims to accelerate the coverage of reliable WASH in healthcare facilities to promote inclusive and sustainable healthcare delivery in communities. A key objective is to develop an evidence base around WASH in healthcare facilities to inform policy and practice and advocate for the prioritization of WASH access in these facilities.
Overview of WASH in HCF Data Collection:
The study conducted a mixed-method approach, combining participatory, qualitative, and quantitative methods to assess WASH services in 50 operational healthcare facilities across Asutifi North and Wassa East districts. The findings aimed to support evidence-based advocacy and life cycle costing analysis.
Key Findings:
1. W…
Background and Context:
Access to safe WASH services is not just an output but a critical outcome that significantly improves public health. The importance of having reliable WASH services in healthcare facilities extends beyond infection prevention; it ensures the satisfaction and confidence of patients, particularly women and children. Despite the vital role of hand hygiene in reducing infectious diseases, it has been chronically under-prioritized and lacks sufficient investments from the government and development partners.
WaterAid Ghana's Initiative:
WaterAid Ghana is implementing a project to strengthen WASH and health systems in Wassa-East and Asutifi North Districts. The project aims to accelerate the coverage of reliable WASH in healthcare facilities to promote inclusive and sustainable healthcare delivery in communities. A key objective is to develop an evidence base around WASH in healthcare facilities to inform policy and practice and advocate for the prioritization of WASH access in these facilities.
Overview of WASH in HCF Data Collection:
The study conducted a mixed-method approach, combining participatory, qualitative, and quantitative methods to assess WASH services in 50 operational healthcare facilities across Asutifi North and Wassa East districts. The findings aimed to support evidence-based advocacy and life cycle costing analysis.
Key Findings:
1. W…
