The WASH-IPC   was a 7 months project (31^st August 2020 – 31^st March 2021) implemented in UPMB health facilities across 5 districts of Kabale  , Kisoro , Kanungu ,    Rukungiri and  Kasese 4) in 9 Sites (Nyakibale Hospital, Kisiizi Hospital, Bwindi Hospital, Rugarama Hospital,  St Paul’s HCIV,  Rwesande HCIV, Kilembe Mines Hospital, Kagando Hospital & Mutolere).

The project targeted health facility teams including IPC Teams, or Quality, OPD and ER teams of 5-10 within networks of facilities, connected through a hub. The project has four major objectives highlighted below

• Support sub-national stakeholders, facility OICs and relevant committees or staff to achieve key quality metrics related to COVID-19 IPC for facility safety
• Provide targeted, lean learning for priority competencies
• Provide virtual peer learning and performance support
• Measure and share facility level quality IPC indicator progress

The key activities under this project were

• Activity 1: Facilitate rapid improvements in HCF infection prevention readiness and COVID-19 patient management to maintain essential services and protect staff & patients
• Activity 2:  Support hub-spoke mentorship platforms to continue and sustain progress
• Activity 3: Build sub-national government capacity to sustain support services, monitoring, enforcement of infection prevention standards in healthcare facilities

Key achievements included

WASH-IPC Baseline Assessment for the 9 project sites: Only 2 facilities of St. Kalori Lwanga Hospital, Nyakibaare and Kagando Hospital scored above 70% though they didn’t have active IPC and QI committees; UPMB in collaboration with JHPEIGO intervened & closed gaps

Dissemination of WASH-IPC Baseline Results to Stakeholders: At all the 9 project sites and the HUMC representatives, District Health Officers, Secretary for health, District IPC focal persons, officers responsible for environmental health as well as district MCH focal persons _ Action Plans were developed and implemented by the different stake holders.

Functionalization of IPC & QI Committees for all Project sites: Supported 9 project sites to constitute their facility specific IPC and QI committees, trained the teams on their Terms of references, supported the teams to form projects and schedules for meetings; action plans were developed and implemented  by the different facilities

Minor repairs for  basic WASH-IPC infrastructure: Supported the refurbishment of key areas such IPC/WASH in 3 project sites including St. Francis hospital Mutolere (Toilet near the gate), Rwesande HC IV (handwash facilities _ sinks & taps) and Kagando Hospital (toilet & bathroom at Maternity).

District Performance review on WASH-IPC : Conducted performance review meetings at the 5 districts of Kabale, Rukungiri, Kanungu, Kasese and Kisoro; UPMB got slots to discuss facility performance during the extended District Health Team meetings and District council meetings. The meetings involved DHT members, health facility staff, secretary for health, and partners. Action Plans were developed and implemented by the different stakeholders. Through these meetings, the districts re-affirmed the existence and functionality of the district IPC and QI teams in the support supervision function