WaterAid Papua New Guinea (WAPNG), in partnership with the National Capital District Provincial Health Authority (NCDPHA), has successfully facilitated a three‑day Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WaSH) in Healthcare Facilities deep-dive session at the 9 Mile Urban Clinic in the National Capital District (NCD).
The training brought together clinic staff, support workers, and community leaders, underscoring a shared commitment to strengthening healthcare service delivery through improved WaSH practices. Participants — from managers to nurses, community health workers, cleaners, volunteers, and support clinicians — were equipped to identify and address challenges relating to water supply, sanitation, cleaning, and waste disposal.
Delivered through six structured modules, the program emphasized the use of the Water and Sanitation in Health Facility Improvement Tool (WASH FIT). Developed by the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF, WASH FIT is a global risk‑based management tool that supports healthcare facilities in achieving WHO’s minimum standards for WaSH management.
Through effective collaboration between WAPNG and NCDPHA, WaSH improvement activities have been integrated into the Authority’s Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) framework, ensuring that facilities such as the 9 Mile Urban Clinic benefit from strengthened systems and sustained support.
This initiative aligns with the Department of Health’s (NDoH) rollout of the National Guidelines for Water, Sanitation and Hygiene in Healthcare Facilities and the National Roadmap for Improving WASH in Healthcare Facilities across all Provincial Health Authorities.
The Chief Executive Officer of the National Capital District Provincial Health Authority, Dr. Robin Oge, said, “Our commitment to WaSH in healthcare facilities is unwavering.” He said that by working with partners like WaterAid PNG, we are ensuring that every patient, mother, and newborn who walks into our clinics has access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene. “This is not just about infrastructure it is about dignity, safety, and saving lives,” said Dr. Oge. “NCDPHA will continue to champion these improvements across all our facilities,” he added.
WaterAid remains committed to supporting NDoH and PHAs in advancing national WaSH standards towards achieving Sustainable Development Goal 6 and the Medium-Term Development Plan 4 (MTDP 4). The training at 9 Mile Urban Clinic marks a significant step toward building safer, cleaner, and more resilient healthcare services for communities in Port Moresby and beyond.
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