{"id":2105,"date":"2022-03-20T20:03:49","date_gmt":"2022-03-20T19:03:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/waterconsortium.ch\/?p=2105"},"modified":"2022-03-20T20:03:49","modified_gmt":"2022-03-20T19:03:49","slug":"terre-des-hommes-fosters-sustainable-wash-improvements-in-health-centres-in-mali","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/waterconsortium.ch\/fr\/terre-des-hommes-fosters-sustainable-wash-improvements-in-health-centres-in-mali\/","title":{"rendered":"Terre des hommes favorise des am\u00e9liorations durables WASH dans les centres de sant\u00e9 au Mali"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u00a0<\/strong><\/em>(Version fran\u00e7aise ci-dessous)<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Authors<\/strong><\/em>: Aboubacar BALLO, WASH Coordinator, Terre des hommes in Mali; Bruno PASCUAL, Head of Wash expertise, Terre des hommes
\n<\/em>Photo Credits<\/strong><\/em>: Terre des hommes<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Swiss Water and Sanitation Consortium (SWSC) and its member organisations are contributing to the improvement of water and sanitation services worldwide \u2013 this is particularly crucial during the current COVID-19 pandemic. Thanks to the intervention of Terre des hommes in Mali, several health care facilities offer improved water services, including the health care facility in Kodougouni.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Assessing the WASH Situation using FACET<\/strong><\/h3>\n

At the start of the project in 2020, Terre des hommes and the health authorities carried out an assessment of access to water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) in ten health care facilities (HCF) in the Segou region of Mali, using the consortium’s FACET<\/a> tool. The tool compiles standard questions on WASH, based on the standardised JMP<\/a> indicators (WHO\/UNICEF). The findings of the survey were worrying because while 70% of the HCFs offered basic water service, service was limited or non-existent in the areas of sanitation, medical waste management, hand hygiene and environmental cleaning. Furthermore, WASH issues were not prioritised in the budget plans of health facility managers.<\/p>\n

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Photo: Traditional well in the HCF of Kodougouni (before the project intervention)<\/em><\/p>\n

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Capacity Building: The WASH FIT Approach<\/strong><\/h3>\n

In response to these findings, Terre des hommes, within the framework of the Swiss Water and Sanitation Consortium and with the financial support of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), supported the ten HCFs in implementing the WASH FIT<\/a> approach.[1]<\/a> In collaboration with the S\u00e9gou Regional Health Directorate, the capacities of the HCF managers (technical agents, town hall, community health associations) were strengthened using the WASH FIT tool. A participatory improvement and monitoring plan for water, hygiene and sanitation services was developed by each HCF.<\/p>\n

[1]<\/a> WASH FIT<\/a> is a tool for improving water, sanitation and hygiene services in health facilities, developed by WHO and UNICEF.<\/p>\n

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Photo: Training health staff on WASH FIT<\/em><\/p>\n

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Infrastructure Improvements: Construction of Water Supply Systems <\/strong><\/h3>\n

Before the project\u2019s intervention, the Kodougouni HCF did not have a suitable water supply system. It only had a traditional well with unsafe water \u2013 it was polluted with faecal coliforms. In accordance with the improvement plan put in place by the WASH FIT committee, Terre des hommes supported the construction of a water supply system, which was the HCF\u2019s highest priority need.<\/p>\n

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Photo: New water supply system<\/em><\/p>\n

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Mechanisms for the Sustainable Management of the Water System <\/strong><\/h3>\n

Two local technicians were trained and equipped to maintain the water supply system. The Health Centre Committee (ASACO) has included a lump sum of 10,000 CFA francs in its monthly budget planning for the maintenance of the structure.<\/p>\n

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Photo: The water tower<\/em><\/p>\n

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As a result of these interventions, the HCF of Kodougouni, once one of the poorest in the Segou region, now provides basic water service to over 5000 people who rely on the HCF.<\/p>\n

Following a national assessment by the Ministry of Health, the facility was furthermore selected to host a telemedicine unit, as part of a programme to improve the technical health platform targeting 15 HCFs in Mali. Progress in WASH services was one of the determining criteria for the selection process.<\/p>\n

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Photo: A doctor examines a child in a health centre in Mali<\/em><\/p>\n

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“Before, women used to fetch water outside for deliveries. We had to go out into the yard to get water from the polluted traditional well. Now we have access to quality water right under our noses, in the delivery room, in all the other units and in the courtyard. This makes our work much easier. Deliveries are much safer!\u201d<\/p>\n

Korotimi Tangara, midwife of the Kodougouni health centre.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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Photo: A midwife washing her hands at the sink<\/em><\/p>\n

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For more information, please visit:<\/p>\n