Enhancing WASH in healthcare facilities in Uganda

Published on: 22/12/2025

Data from the Ministry of Health indicate that 69% of all healthcare facilities (HCFs) don’t have access to basic water supply, 88% lack basic sanitation services, 54% lack basic hygiene and 72% lack environmental and hand hygiene services. The report also indicates that 21% of all HCFs in Uganda lack basic safe medical waste management. Finally almost all (98%) of HCFs staff did not know of any written guidelines on the Operation and Maintenance (O&M) of WASH facilities in healthcare facilities.

The lack of adequate water, sanitation and hygiene, waste management and environmental cleanliness in healthcare facilities poses a significant health risk to patients and healthcare workers in Uganda, and it seriously impacts quality of care and satisfaction with health services.

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It’s against this background that IRC Uganda, member of a consortium led by Water For People together with the Ministry of Water and Environment, Finnish Mondial (AMREF & CARITAS – HEWASA), the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Education and Sports and UWASNET are implementing a Sanitation and Hygiene Project (Accelerating Access to Improved Sanitation and Hygiene Services using Market-Based Approaches in Uganda) funded by UNOPS in the seven districts of Kayunga, Buikwe, Kamuli, Buyende, Luuka, Kole and Kabarole are facilitating the uptake and use of the “National Guidelines of WASH in Health Care Facilities”.

The consortium’s aim is to:

1. Popularise the National Guidelines on WASH in HCFs (IRC supported the Ministry of Health in writing these guidelines).
2. Increase financing for WASH in HCFs financing, as well as promote appropriate practices that significantly reduce the risk of infections and create a safer environment for both patients and healthcare personnel.
3. Develop a comprehensive implementation plan for stakeholder engagement; a comprehensive training programme on best practices for health workers; a framework for periodic review and update of the national guidelines based on emerging needs and feedback.
4. Build strategic partnerships at national level and among local governments, urban authorities, and development partners to increase financing for WASH in HCF in both hardware and software.