Stakeholders commit to improving WASH at healthcare facilities in Bauchi

By Ahmed Ahmed

Stakeholders in Bauchi state have committed to improving Water Sanitation and hygiene (WASH) in Primary health care facilities across the state.

Our correspondent reports that the stakeholders are from the Civil Society Organizations, relevant Ministries, agencies,media and representatives of people with disability.

They made the commitments at a stakeholders engagement meeting on situational assessment of WASH in Health supported by WaterAid Nigeria on Wednesday in Bauchi.

Alhaji Adamu Aliyu , Director with the state Ministry of health reatreated the commitments of the state Ministry of health on provision of WASH in Primary health Care (PHC).

He urged the stakeholders to be committed to improving access to water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) in primary health care facilities.

“It’s our responsibility to work towards expanding our overall support of programs that prioritize improving WASH in primary health care facilities,”

On his part Mr Ukeme Essien, Head strategy Wateraid Nigeria said the objective of the meeting was to emphasize the impact of WASH in Primary health care facilities and ways of improving the health care system.

He said the meeting was to ensure that stakeholders called to action to ensure quality health care services by recognizing the importance of WASH in all PHCs.

Esseien said the need for Stakeholders to make a commitment to advocate for policy and programs that lead to improvements in WASH in Primary health care facilities.

“The strong commitments will help catalyze investments and policies that facilitate access to WASH services in primary health care facilities,” he said.

Also speaking Mr Ezekiel Sukumum, from the Civil Society Organizations said lack of access to improved sanitation, lack of access to handwashing soap and running water, in health care facilities.

“Puts both patients and healthcare workers at risk. Safe water, functioning toilets, and soap are necessary in primary health care facilities

“To prevent infections, protect mothers and children, conduct safe surgery, address antibiotic resistance, and mitigate disease outbreaks.

“This unprecedented collection of commitments confirms that stakeholders will never allow the issue of WASH in Primary healthcare facilities to be ignored again.” Sukumum stressed.

“Call to action to elevate the importance of and prioritize action on WASH in primary health care facilities in both the public and private sectors.

“The call recognises the important role WASH plays in preventing infections, saving lives, and improving quality of care,” he said

Dr Hakeem Olatunji, a consultant reiterated the need to identify WASH gaps in PHCs across the state.

In his presentation Dr Olatunji explained situation analysis and assessment, examined health and WASH policies, governance structures, and funding streams,