hands4health
Hand 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.
10 Partners
NGOs, academia and private sector entities
8 Work Packages
Four-year project timeline: 2021-2024
4 Countries
Mali, Burkina Faso, Nigeria and Palestine
Latest news
- Baseline data collection completed in Nigeria
Overview of baseline data collection As part of the hands4health project, a baseline data collection took place in primary schools in Nigeria between May 8th and June 20th, 2023. The exercise was carried… Read More »Baseline data collection completed in Nigeria - Water quality analysis & chlorination trainings in Palestine
Strengthening the local monitoring skills As part of the hands4health activities, a series of training workshops on ‘Water quality analysis and chlorination principles’ was implemented in Palestine by the Palestine Polytechnic University (PPU),… Read More »Water quality analysis & chlorination trainings in Palestine - hands4health at the Swiss TPH Open House
Introducing the project and Gravit’eau to the Swiss public On the 17th of June, the Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH) opened its doors for the public to visit its new… Read More »hands4health at the Swiss TPH Open House - hands4health soutient le WASH FIT au Mali et Burkina Faso
Améliorer les services WASH dans les établissements de santé En juin 2023, le rapport mondial actualisé de l’OMS et de l’UNICEF sur l’eau, l’assainissement et l’hygiène dans les établissements de santé a été… Read More »hands4health soutient le WASH FIT au Mali et Burkina Faso
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. More information is available here.