Evidence based engagement and influencing

for WASH and MNH

Water Aid Ethiopia’s Experience Shegaw Fentaye Sisay

WASH & MNH

Background: Ethiopia• Population: 90 million (2011)• Population growth: 3.2% per year• The Crude death rate 7.6 /1000 population, • Life expectancy at birth of male and female is 62 years and 65 years respectively. • Infant mortality rate;44 /1000 live births; under five mortality rate is 64 deaths per

1000 live births. • The Maternal Mortality Ratio is estimated at 420 per 100,000 live births • 14,416 HPs, 2,689 HCs and 111 public hospitals

• Background: WASH & MNH • HSDP IV prioritizes maternal and newborn care and child health (MNC)Objective• To Share WAE’s experience on evidence based engagement regarding

WASH for MNC and how we got the attention of the government. • To highlight the challenges of WASH for MNH in Ethiopia.

WAE’s research on WASH for Quality Health Services WAE research showed that

• 41% use water from unprotected sources. • 46% (rural) no sanitation facilities• 31% have hand washing facilities• 88% no separate latrine blocks for male and female• 61% no separate sanitation facilities for staff and

visitors• Visitors use open spaces to relieve themselves• Available sanitation facilities are not disability

friendly • Most of the health facilities have unimproved types

of latrines • No clothes washing basin

Health institutions

Impacts of Lack of WASH in Health Institutions:1. Risking health

• Water from unprotected sources and limited handwashing access by staffs & visitors often results in WASH-borne diseases among mothers, neonates and staff

2. Burden on health budget • Health institutions forced to move proportion of health

budget to fix non-functionalities.

3. Reduced efficiency and effectiveness of health workers

• 75% of staff spend time looking for water & toilets outside

4. Attitudinal impacts on visitors (aesthetic value)

WaterAid Ethiopia have:• Researched “WASH for Quality Health Services” and developed a

policy brief to facilitate evidence based engagement

• Influenced Gov’t to develop a WASH in Health Institutions Design & Construction Manual

• Contributed to developing indicators for WASH in the Child Survival Strategy

• Supported MoH to consider WASH for MNC while reviewing Urban Health Extension Program

• Working with parliamentarians on institutional WASH (HF and School)

• Working with media agencies

• Engaged in national WaSH and MNC policy and implementation bottleneck analysis research to further influence the health sector on WASH for MNC

Engagement & advocacy: WASH and MNH

Now –CASH Project

• Clean and Safe Health facility Campaign “CASH

Initiative”(Gov’t initiate)

THANK YOU !