WaterAid Uganda has officially commissioned and handed over newly constructed sanitary facilities under the SHARE project to district leadership in Adjumani district, marking a major milestone in improving water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services in health facilities.
The SHARE project, a five-year consortium initiative implemented in both Adjumani and Buyende districts and led by Right to Play, has focused on strengthening health systems and promoting safe deliveries through improved sanitation infrastructure.
Under this project, WaterAid constructed modern sanitary facilities in Maaji B Refugee Settlement in Ukusijoni and in Ofua sub-county to address long-standing WASH challenges in health facilities.
Speaking during the commissioning, Tako Stephen, Senior Clinical Officer and In-Charge of Ofua HealthCentrer III, expressed gratitude for the support, highlighting the transformation the facility has undergone.
“I’m so grateful for the team today thathase come for the official commissioning of the projects that are being undertaken and supported by the SHARE project. We are very happy with the SHARE project because we previously faced numerous challenges in the facility one of which was the issue of sanitation.”
He added: “We had a poor sanitary facility with an ordinary bit laundry which was full and it was not printable and could not now be used. We had chages with the hand hygiene.
Priscilla Nkwene Kimbugwe, Acting Director of Programmes at WaterAid Uganda, emphasized the importance of collaboration and the impact achieved through the project.
“Today, as we celebrate the journey that we have made, it has been a journey where we collaborated with the districts in carrying out assessments to ensure that we have the right beneficiary salt. And I’m glad that this decision and results that we got came in as a partnership aspect. And today, we are here to celebrate the milestones that the project has registered.
“I want to take the opportunity to thank the health facility management team, the incharge of Ofua, who have worked tirelessly with us, with David, our project officer, and the other members in the consortium,” she added.
“It is not just a matter of having the deliveries, she said, but also ensuring that mothers are delivers in a safe environment in terms of improved hygiene and hygiene and prevention control standards.
With all the efforts between WaterAid, the project and the health facilities, they are grateful. “One of our approaches as Aid, is, we believe in system strengthening. And we are proud to say we have strengthened the system of the district health team, but also the health facility team.
District health officials also welcomed the development, noting improvements in infrastructure and infection prevention.
Lube Wilson, Assistant District Health Officer in charge of Environmental Health, said: “My sincere thanks to SHARE project in particularly WaterAid Adjumani. I’m very grateful WaterAid is constructing two blocks with the adequate hand washing facility.
“Through this support of WaterAid, today, we have seen they have made at least same permanent one. I’m sure infection and pare revention control is now in place. I will appeal to in the incharge of the health centres, our clients about the use of that facility.
“It may be like that but if utilization is not proper it may become also infection centre.”
Representing the refugee desk under the Office of the Prime Minister, Dranzoa Christine highlighted the shared benefits between host communities and refugees:
“We are really very grateful. And on behalf of PM, I must say we are grateful. Though the intervention looks more on the host side.
“And to the health center management, make sure the operation and maintenance aspects are undertaken and we also really going to support in monitoring to see that everything runs smoothly.”
Meanwhile, Deputy Resident District Commissioner Emmanuel Okwere commended partners for their collaboration and commitment:
“I thank the partners who have been involved in this intervention. I also thank the leadership who have been involved in helping us to identify the gaps and also commit in the collaboration.
“I want to thank WaterAid country director, and we are alsot to thank WaterAid program director with the entire team for the commitment that they have had in Adjumani and for the leadership that tcentreve offered the other partners in this in this wash delivery of services.
“We expect twe outcomes se interventions now to save us from the other dangerous infections.”
The newly commissioned facilities are expected to significantly improve hygiene standards, reduce infections, and enhance safe delivery services in Adjumani benefiting both host communities and refugees who depend on the same health services.
