Jirapa: WaterAid Ghana, an international NGO focused on child welfare, has inaugurated water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) facilities at the Sabuli and Ul-Dantie Health Centres in Jirapa Municipality to enhance WASH services. This initiative aims to boost healthcare delivery and health outcomes for thousands, especially women, children, and vulnerable populations, while supporting national and global development goals.
According to Ghana News Agency, WaterAid Ghana collaborated with the Ministry of Health and received support from the Canadian government through Global Affairs Canada under the IGNIT3 Project to implement the intervention. During the commissioning ceremonies at Sabuli and Ul-Dantie, Mr. Yussif Yakubu, Project Assistant at WaterAid Ghana, noted that the NGO had previously built water facilities in the communities to improve access to water. The current initiative addresses sanitation and hygiene challenges and enhances healthcare service quality.
The project includes renovating and constructing toilet facilities, handwashing stations, and breastfeeding corners. Mr. Yakubu mentioned that incinerators are being built at the two health centres to aid in the safe disposal of medical waste. He highlighted the limited incineration capacity in the municipality, previously reliant on St. Joseph's Hospital for waste disposal.
Mr. Fidelis Batatu Kaaninge, Sabuli Health Centre In-Charge, expressed gratitude to WaterAid Ghana and its partners, noting that patients previously resorted to defecating in bushes. The interventions are expected to improve patient comfort, dignity, and safety, especially for pregnant women and nursing mothers. Mr. Kaaninge added that the project has curbed open defecation and promoted healthier behaviours through WASH sensitisation in Sabuli and nearby communities.
Mr. Edward Kaaih, Acting Jirapa Municipal Health Director, emphasized the importance of reliable WASH services for quality healthcare delivery and urged proper maintenance of the facilities. Mr. David Yere, Director of Catholic Health Service Trust, Wa Diocese, praised the intervention for addressing urgent infrastructural needs and pledged the allocation of funds for facility maintenance.
The IGNIT3 project aims to impact over 30,000 people, including health workers, women, children, and adolescent girls in the Upper West, Greater Accra, Northern, and Oti Regions. It aligns with WaterAid Ghana's 2023-2028 Country Strategy to improve health outcomes through inclusive and sustainable WASH services, contributing to Sustainable Development Goal Six and Universal Health Coverage in Ghana.