National Standards for WASH in Health Care Facilities

Highlights

The water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) system in health care facilities is considered one of the most basic requirements in obtaining high-quality health services to ensure the safety of patients while receiving services by providing clean and safe health care facilities that increase trust and demand for services and improve the experience of Patients receive care, which reflects positively on the staff and their performance, and emphasizes the importance of their role as a role model in the community in order to prepare for the rules of community hygiene.

Addressing problems related to water, sanitation and hygiene in health care facilities, is a global issue that the World Health Organization has worked on by issuing basic environmental health standards in health care, where it launched with many partners a global plan on water, sanitation and hygiene in order to work on it In health care facilities, many additional resources have been developed to support national measures to address infection prevention and control and water, sanitation and hygiene in health care settings. Based on that, it was necessary to work on issuing this guideline for water, sanitation and hygiene in health facilities in State of Palestine, as is the case in many countries.

Working to develop national standards and guidelines for water, sanitation and hygiene in health facilities enhances the resilience of the health system to prevent disease outbreaks, and allow for effective response and control of emergencies when they occur. Health care facilities are among the places where infectious disease agents are most prevalent, affecting not only patients, health workers and caregivers but also the entire community through the spread of disease if environmental health is inadequate. Therefore, the development of water, sanitation and hygiene services is an essential pillar for effectively providing safe and high-quality health care services in health care facilities at all levels.

Accordingly, His Excellency the Minister of Health extends thanks and appreciation to all partners, work teams, preparation and review committees, and everyone who contributed to enriching this evidence of effort and outstanding achievement, with the support of the World Health Organization.