The Ministry of Health recognizes that access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) in health facilities is critical in the reduction of diseases, improved occupational health, more efficient health care services, improved staff morale and performance. The micro planning data generated will guide line ministries, local government authorities and development partners to position WASH in the health care facilities agenda within the Water and Health sectors. Additionally, it will support the development of a roadmap for achieving WASH-related sustainable development goals for health institutions.
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 3 and SDG 6 reinforce the need to ensure adequate WASH services, which will result in a reduction in maternal mortality, ending preventable newborn deaths, and providing quality universal health coverage. The rationale of the WASH guidelines is to document procedures and provide a framework for strategic planning, implementation of functional and effective WASH services in healthcare facilities in Uganda. These guidelines offer a basis for creating the minimum conditions required for providing healthcare services in a healthy environment for healthcare workers, patients and visitors to the healthcare premises. They also serve as a tool for monitoring the performance of WASH in health care facilities.
The guidelines provide a framework for the community health service implementation, detailing its structure and service delivery channels. Additionally, it is introducing and defining an integrated essential community services package which is based on a life course approach. The delineation provided by this guideline will ensure that all stake holders contribute meaningfully to the overarching national community health goals.
Ministry of Health (MoH) is committed to having one well-coordinated, integrated community health service delivery programme guided by the National Community Health Strategy (NCHS) so as to accomplish national and international goals. MoH finalized development of the first NCHS 2021/22 – 2025/26, which is intended to improve access to primary, promotive, curative, preventive and rehabilitative health care services through multi-sectoral collaboration. The aim of the National Community Health Strategy (NCHS) is to improve health outcomes at community level through strengthening the existing community health system to provide essential services as outlined under the Uganda National Minimum Health Care Package.
