A recent report has revealed that the Government of Uganda requires approximately 656 billion shillings to address the sanitation and waste management challenges plaguing public health facilities across the country. The funds are earmarked for the construction and equipping of toilets with basic facilities, including access to running water, in order to ensure the safety and hygiene of these facilities.
The report highlights that only 30% of health facilities in Uganda currently possess the necessary sanitation and medical waste management infrastructure. This deficiency poses significant health risks to patients, as many facilities have become breeding grounds for infections.
Titled “Financing Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) in Healthcare Facilities in Uganda,” the report was conducted by the Socio-Economic Data Centre in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It underscores the critical need for increased funding for WASH and medical waste management, which are typically financed by the government and development partners.
While water coverage across the country has seen improvement, sanitation and medical waste disposal services have received insufficient attention, leaving thousands of patients vulnerable to preventable diseases and infections. The report notes that most development partners do not finance the operation and maintenance (O&M) of healthcare facilities due to the recurrent nature of these costs, leaving the burden solely on the government.
Narathius Asingwire, the leader of the research team, emphasized the importance of preventive measures in reducing the spread of diseases and infections. He urged the government and donor partners to prioritize funding for WASH and medical waste management to prevent situations where patients seeking curative services are exposed to uncontrolled infections.
With approximately 6,949 public health facilities in Uganda, urgent action is needed to address the sanitation and waste management challenges to ensure the safety and well-being of patients across the country.
