On Thursday 30th June 2022, a dissemination workshop was held at hotel Africana bringing together a wide range of stakeholders including officials from Ministry of Health, Ministry of Water and Environment, Parliament of Uganda, District local governments, PNFP health care facilities administrators, civil society organizations, media and private sector among others. The workshop included presentation of WASH assessment findings and recommendations for the improvement of WASH in PNFPs.
The private not for profit health care facilities play a significant role in health care service provision in Uganda. They are primarily run by faith based organizations that is the catholic, protestant and Muslim medical bureaus. Engineers without borders – Uganda country office partnered with PACE Uganda, Uganda Catholic medical bureau and Uganda protestant medical bureau to conduct a WASH assessment aimed at identifying and analyzing the current status of WASH in the health facilities and design appropriate WASH interventions.
During the dissemination workshop, it was noted that a multi sectoral approach is critical to achieving a comprehensive investment in WASH across health care facilities. Also, capacity building in social behavior change and maintenance of available WASH facilities was emphasized.
The guest of honor State minister for Health in charge of general duties Hon. Bangirana Kawooya Anifa was represented by Dr. Daniel J. Kyabayinze Director Public Health who invited the PACE and EWB to widely disseminate the WASH findings and influence policy and WASH funding.
In his closing remarks, Mr. Joseph Epitu – Assistant Commissioner Sector Capacity Development in Ministry of Water and environment called upon the line ministries and private sector to work together towards improvement of WASH in health care facilities. He also encouraged private not for profit health facilities to keep a close relationship with the government to receive support.
Watch the entire proceedings of this workshop on youtube https://youtu.be/orRJcmwFG_g