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The hands4health is a joint initiative of NGOs, academia and private sector entities that develops and implements a comprehensive approach to hand hygiene, water quality and sanitation in primary health care facilities and schools not connected to functional water supply systems.
Project flyersHands 4 Health
initiativeHand hygiene, water quality and sanitation in primary health care facilities and schools not connected to functional water supply systems
Current situation
Water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) are central to the ability to maintain hygienic environments and prevent disease transmission in both health care facilities and schools. Proper and frequent hand hygiene is one of the most important measures that can be taken to prevent the transmission of diarrheal diseases, respiratory diseases and (re-)emerging infections.
In 2019, the Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP) Global Baseline Report estimated that over 45% of primary health care facilities and 50% of schools in LMICs do not have access to handwashing facilities, basic hygiene and water supply systems. Moreover, administrators and staff of health care facilities and schools often lack the capacity and knowledge to manage WASH services adequately. This holds particularly true in a context where functional water supply is lacking, rendering the provision of adequate WASH services intractable.
Our vision
To join our experiences and efforts to establish a systemic approach to hand hygiene and WASH in primary health care facilities and schools serving the most vulnerable populations.
Target population
Off-grid schools and health care facilities with poor WASH services, located in conflict-affected areas, refugee and internally displaced camps, informal settlements and remote rural areas.
Latest news
1 July 2025
Looking Back, Looking Ahead: hands4health and SWSC Co-Host Final WASH Symposium in Muttenz
On June 17-18, 2025, the hands4health consortium came together for one last time in its current form to reflect on...
25 March 2025
Invitation to a Symposium on WASH interventions in healthcare facilities and schools
The hands4health consortium and the Swiss Water and Sanitation Consortium (SWSC) are pleased to invite people interested to a 2-day...
4 January 2025
h4h General Meeting 2024: A Year and Project in Review
On December 3, 2024, the Hands4Health consortium gathered online for its final general meeting. Held via Zoom from 9:00 AM...
15 October 2024
Journée mondiale du lavage des mains
hands4health rend les mains propres accessibles Le 15 octobre, le monde se rassemble pour célébrer la Journée mondiale du lavage...
15 October 2024
Global Handwashing Day
hands4health is making clean hands possible On October 15, the world comes together to celebrate Global Handwashing Day, a moment...
1 July 2024
Gravit’eau: Strengthening Skills
Terre des Hommes enhances the Capabilities of Gravit’eau Maintenance Teams As part of the hands4health project, a series of trainings...
1 July 2024
Gravit’eau : Renforcement des Compétences
Terre des hommes renforce les capacités des équipes de maintenance des stations de lavage des mains Gravit’eau Dans le cadre...
21 May 2024
Emergency Environmental Health Forum 2024
Showcasing the h4h systemic approach The Emergency Environmental Health Forum (EEHF) is an international research and learning event aimed at...
Consortium partners
Funding
The hands4health initiative is funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), through a project and programme contribution of CHF 4’700’000.