By Franklin ASARE-DONKOH
Research conducted by World Vision Ghana (WVG) with support from MGHI in 197 Health Care Facilities (HCFs) in six districts in the Oti and Upper East Regions has revealed that 47.7% of all HCFs do not have the requisite number of improved toilet facilities.
WaterAid Ghana reported in 2015 that 52% of HCFs in Bongo and Kassena Nankana West districts have no toilets, while the Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP) 2020 states that only 2% of HCFs in rural Ghana have basic sanitation service.
Presenting the findings of the research work dubbed “WASH-NTD Nexus Project” at a dissemination meeting held at the Best Western Premier Hotel in Accra, the WASH Project Monitoring and Evaluation Coordinator, WVG, Mrs. Suglo-Konbo Ibrahim told stakeholders, development partners, and the media that the sole objective of the research was to achieve the following;
- To determine the basic water, sanitation, and hygiene access in all Health Care Facilities
- To assess the quality of water from water facilities in all Health Care Facilities
- To understand the WASH challenges in Health Care Facilities (and communities) in all Health Care Facilities
- As well as to develop an implementation plan to address WASH gaps identified in all Health Care Facilities
The six districts where the research was conducted were; Kassena Nankana West, Kassena Nankana East, and Builsa South all in the Upper East Regions,
The rest are; Krachi East, Krachi West, and Nkwanta South all in the Oti Region.
Mrs. Ibrahim explained that the six districts were selected based on the prevalence of Schistosomiasis and proximity to WVG project areas.
“The six selected districts are high Schistosomiasis endemic districts in Oti and Upper East Regions.” She noted.
Key findings on Water
It was discovered that 22.3% of HCFs across the 6 districts don’t have improved water sources accessible on-premises.
Again 33% of HCFs in Ghana (55% in rural) have no improved water facility on premises. JMP 2022
But according to WaterAid Ghana 2015 report, 17% of HCFs in Bongo and Kassena Nankana West have piped water in the facility.
The WASH-NTD Nexus Project also revealed that about 26% of water points in HCFs sampled had E-coli presence
Risk of Contamination Assessment
“11% of water points ranked as medium risk of possible contamination. 30% medium risk in Kassena Nankana East.” It said.
Key findings on Hand Hygiene
About 71% of HCFs surveyed do not have hand hygiene stations at ALL points of care.
Again, 93% (80% in rural) of HCFs in Ghana have hand hygiene stations at points of care. JMP 2020
While 93% (80% in rural) of HCFs in Ghana have hand hygiene stations at points of care. JMP 2020
WVG and its partners are, therefore, calling on the government to ensure that both old and all new HCF being put up come with auxiliary WASH facilities.