This document provides an analysis of the application of the Water and Sanitation for Health Facility Improvement tool (WASH FIT), along with case studies from a select number of countries which illustrate different approaches for implementing and scaling up the tool. Recommendations for improving WASHFIT, its implementation and integration with health, energy and climate efforts are also included. As of 2024, over 70 countries from every region of the world are known to be using the tool and this number is growing year on year.
Resource Type: publications
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!
Global Framework for Action 2024–2030 for water, sanitation, hygiene, waste and electricity services in all health care facilities
The Framework serves to guide efforts to deliver safe and sustainable water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), health care waste management and reliable electricity in all health care facilities. The ultimate aim is to provide quality care for all. The Framework reflects a global consultative process and includes data and recommendations articulated in recent WHO/UNICEF global reports on WASH, waste and electricity in health care facilities. It also provides an operational roadmap for implementing the 2023 United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) resolution on WASH, waste and electricity in health care facilities. The target audiences for this Framework include health leaders and programme managers at the global and national levels; policymakers; WASH, waste and energy leaders and technical experts; development partners and finance institutions; and actors and experts on gender equality, disability and social inclusion and climate; and, more generally, civil society. The Framework deals with the WASH, waste and electricity elements of the WHO comprehensive approach to build safe, climate-resilient and environmentally sustainable health care facilities. Find the framework here
Does WASH FIT improve water, sanitation, and hygiene and related health impacts in healthcare facilities? A systematic review
This systematic review evaluates whether WASH FIT improves environmental health services or associated health outcomes and impacts. The conducted methodology is a database searches to identify relevant studies and extracted data on study design, healthcare facility characteristics, and inputs, activities, outputs, outcomes, and impacts associated with WASH FIT. The study included 31 studies in the review. Find the study here!
Budgeting and advocacy to improve water, sanitation, and hygiene in healthcare facilities: a case study in Nepal
Barriers to achieving and sustaining access to water, sanitation, hygiene, waste management (collectively, “WASH”) in healthcare facilities include a supportive policy environment and adequate funding. While guidelines exist for assessing needs and making initial infrastructure improvements, there is little guidance on how to develop budgets and policies to sustain WASH services in the long-term. This research was conducted on costing and advocacy activities in Thakurbaba municipality, Nepal, with the aim of developing a budget and operations and maintenance policy for WASH in healthcare facilities in partnership with the municipal government. The objectives for this study are to (1) describe the process and methods used for costing and advocacy, (2) report the costs to achieve and maintain basic WASH services in the eight healthcare facilities of Thakurbaba municipality, and (3) report the outcomes of advocacy activities and policy development. Find more about the case study here!
A review of health-care waste management policies in the Western Pacific Region
A review was carried out on health-care waste management policies in the Western Pacific Region, encompassing 16 countries and areas with diverse systems and resources. This report presents key findings on policy comprehensiveness in relation to WHO guidance. The review process included examining essential components of the legal framework for health-care waste management in each country. It also sought to identify best practices in disaster and emergency preparedness and to determine whether advanced, environmentally friendly technologies, including low-carbon alternatives, had been adopted as recommended in national policies. Based on the findings, recommendations were made with the aim of enhancing health-care waste management policies, with a specific focus on addressing technical gaps. Find the review here!
UN General Assembly resolution: Sustainable, safe and universal water, sanitation, hygiene, waste and electricity services in health care facilities
The new resolution emphasizes the critical role these services play in achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and underscores the gaps in current global services. It also encourages Member States to integrate these services into national health planning and calls for improved international cooperation to support developing countries in this area. In addition, the Resolution highlights the need for cross-sectoral engagement, national roadmaps, adequate resourcing and regular monitoring and evaluation to ensure the provision of these essential services. Find the resolution here!
خدمات المياه والإصحاح والنظافة العامةوالنفايات الطبية والكهرباء في مرافق الرعاية الصحية: التقدم المحرز في الأساسيات التقرير العالمي 2023
Water, sanitation, hygiene, waste and electricity services in health care facilities: progress on the fundamentals. Global progress report 2023
This report focuses on global and national efforts and progress to improve WASH, cleaning and health care waste management in health care facilities. It builds upon the first update of progress published in 2020.
Overview of Technolgies used for infectious and sharp waste from healthcare facilities (in Arabic).
This document is the Arabic translation of the Overview of technologies used for infectious and sharp healthcare waste.