We are investing in improving sanitation, and providing direct access to clean water in laboratories, wards, operating theatres and consultation rooms.
To radically improving the quality of healthcare provision and prevent the transmission of disease.
Access to clean water
Flowing water
Connecting health facilities to mains water, and piping this throughout critical areas.
Before we could start our day we would be out fetching water. Sometimes it would delay the start of our shift and it took us away from the ward, and our patients.
Florence, Midwife
Depending on the size of the facility, it costs between £15,000-£20,000 to install running water, which includes the provision of 1 reservoir tank.
Water Reserves
Whether water is supplied via mains water, on-site bore well or shallow well, it is important these facilities have reserve tanks.
Depending on the size of the facility, we aim to install 5,000-10,000ltr tanks, which use gravity to feed the rest of the facility.
An investment of £2,000 equips one standard-sized health centre with this critical infrastructure to ensure there is a regular and consistent supply of water.
Sanitation
Toilets & Showers
Without water, it is impossible to keep clean, and a dirty environment is not good for health care.
Okwakol Suzan, Deputy Health Officer, Kumi
These facilities have very limited access to sanitation. Most have pit latrines within the vicinity, but few provide internal bathrooms which mean staff and patients having to travel across the compound, in the dark, at night.
Our project is installing flushing water-borne toilets and showers for staff and patients
Pit Latrines
Pit latrines are a less expensive option, and often a necessary addition to water-borne toilets.
Some people fear to use the flushing toilet, as they do not have these in their homes, so need to be shown how to use, when they come to the facility. For visitors, out patients, and care takers (family attendants), pit latrines are a good choice.
Sam Malinga, CEO Sanitation Africa
It costs approximately £6,000 to provide a health facility with a double drainable pit latrine, including sinks for hand washing.
Drainable Pit Latrines
With your help we hope to supply schools, and health facilities, with drainable pit latrines and washrooms for women to change and bathe in privacy whilst on their menstrual periods.
Drainable latrines can be emptied, which means instead of abandoning them when full, they can be in use for 20+ years. An additional benefit is, with correct processing, the drained waste can be turned into fuel.
An investment of £10,000 would equip one school, or health centre, with 2 drainable pit latrines, 2 washrooms, rain-water harvesting, hand-washing platform, and incinerator for waste disposal.
Waste Disposal
Without access to recycling and/or bin collection, health centres, and schools, are required to safely dispose of their own waste. Most do this by burying which pollutes the ground and water table.
Open burning, that is without an approved furnace, poses a fire risk, and exposes poisons to the atmosphere – as waste is not burnt at a high enough temperature.
An investment of £1,050 equips one facility with an incinerator, allowing them to efficiently dispose of litter scattered across the compound, and waste generated by patients and the centre itself.
Carers
Family Members
It is the role of a carer (usually a family member) to look after the basic needs of a patient whilst admitted to hospital.
This includes all the cooking, washing of clothes, supporting the patient to bathe, and cleaning their patient’s area in the ward.
But often, these carers have to fetch their own water to carry out these duties, having no access to on-site facilities.
This project recognises the incredible role these attendants provide and aims to make their lives easier, through providing washing stations for laundry and cooking within the compound. These cost around £1000 each, including the installation of drying racks.
The Importance of Water
Why water is so necessary water in providing healthcare:
Improving Patient Experience, Eastern Uganda
Screening for HIV, Eastern Uganda
Donate to Water, Sanitation & Hygiene
Make a one-off, or monthly donation, to enable us to support even more health facilities with this critical, life-saving investment.