Gifty N. Hayford, Senior Community Health Nurse, Asma Camp CHPS
ANESVAD initiative provides WASH in healthcare facilities to combat skin-related neglected tropical diseases
Published on: 25/11/2024
Three healthcare facilities in Upper Denkyira East—Asma Camp, Tegyamoso, and Ibraim Community Health-based Planning Services (CHPS) compounds—are beneficiaries of the ANESVAD-funded initiative. This initiative prioritises healthcare facilities and communities affected by Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) to receive water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities.
The major challenge faced by these facilities is the lack of a reliable water source. Staff often have to fetch water from streams, sometimes walking long distances to other communities. This situation is compounded by illegal mining activities, which pollute the water sources.
Skin conditions, such as Buruli ulcer, are common in the area. Without access to adequate and clean water, healthcare workers are unable to properly treat these conditions, often having to refer patients to other facilities for further investigation and treatment.
Emmanuel Obeng Nuako, Principal Enrolled Nurse, Tegyamoso CHPS Compound, said, "Some of the cases we register in this facility are mainly skin conditions, like Buruli ulcer and other skin-related conditions. When they come with the infection, we are supposed to wash it with water before treatment. But since we don't have water, every skin disease we see, we refer them to Dunkwa for further investigation."
During the dry season, the situation worsens as rainwater stored in containers runs out. The facilities then rely on boreholes in other communities, which are not always functional. This lack of access to clean water affects critical healthcare activities, such as bathing newborns and maintaining hygiene standards.
Esther Odoom, Midwife in Charge, Imbraim CHPS Compound, explained, "Ever since I came here, we have faced challenges with both water and toilet facilities. After delivery, we all know that we must bathe the baby within the next six hours. Since we do not have any water source here, we let them go home and bathe the baby themselves, even though we are supposed to do that with clean water."
The absence of proper toilet facilities further complicates the situation. Patients and staff are forced to use public toilets or seek permission from nearby households, which is both inconvenient and mostly unhygienic. This is particularly problematic for patients with conditions like gastroenteritis or acute watery diarrhoea, who require immediate access to toilet facilities.
Gifty N. Hayford, Senior Community Health Nurse, Asma Camp CHPS Compound, said, "Concerning the toilet facility, a patient can come here with gastro or acute watery diarrhoea, which needs an immediate or nearby toilet facility. But we don't have one here, so they are compelled to go to the nearest household and beg to use their facility before continuing with their treatment here."
The arrival of ANESVAD's support has been met with great excitement. The provision of clean water will significantly reduce the number of cases referred to other facilities and improve the treatment of skin-related diseases. The entire community will benefit from improved sanitation and hygiene, leading to a reduction in NTDs.
Committees have been formed at each facility to maintain and sustain the facility, including members from the clinic health committee, community volunteers, and assemblymen. The committee members have been trained to maintain the facility and will collect a small fee from community members using the water to fund future repairs. Their capacities have also been strengthened in NTD surveillance, early detection, and reporting.
The health workers keenly await the completion of the project, which promises to bring significant improvements to their work and the health and wellbeing of the community.
In this video, the health professionals from the beneficiary healthcare facilities share their stories, highlighting the potential impact of the project on their work.
