Cecilia's story: health, water and sanitation are intrinsically related
By Cecilia Birungi, District Health Inspector, Kabarole district, Uganda. First published on the Toilet Talks website Lack of water and...
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Selected contributors
Dr Githinji Gitahi, Group CEO, Amref Health Africa
A passionate advocate for pro-poor Universal Health Coverage, Githinji leads the largest Africa-led international organisation, reaching more than 11 million people each year through 150 projects across 35 countries.
DAY 1: TUESDAY 2 MAY
All systems and people connecting
We open with our symposium’s purpose. Experts, changemakers and decision-makers assemble to explore how connecting across boundaries and promoting systems leadership can help us achieve social justice and improved national systems.
C1.1 Supporting robust, high-quality health systems through WASH
Time: 11:30
Location: Africa, World Forum
Water sanitation and hygiene are critical for ensuring health and wellbeing, and therefore must be included in strategies to strengthen the health system. This plenary session will hear from high-level WASH and health leadership on how these two sectors currently align and what more is needed for better partnership and alignment moving forward.
Organisers, contributors and presenters
Lindsay Denny, IRC
Bruce Gordon, World Health Organization (WHO)
Dr. Githinji Gitahi, Amref Health Africa
Dr. Mary Eyram Ashinyo, Ghana Health Service
Neha Mankani, PUSH Campaign
Dr Herbert Nabaasa, Ministry of Health, Uganda
C1.2 Safer healthcare facilities through WASH and infection prevention and control
Time: 13:45
Location: North America, World Forum
Achieving Universal Health Coverage, improving the Quality of Care and ensuring adequate Infection Prevention Control cannot be achieved without WASH facilities in health care facilities. Join this session to hear from WASH and health systems experts, share your own experience and develop an advocacy pitch for improving WASH in healthcare facilities.
Organisers, contributors and presenters
Lisa Rudge, UK Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO)
Jo Keatinge, UK Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO)
Bruce Gordon, World Health Organization (WHO)
Neha Mankani, , PUSH Campaign
C1.3 Aligning climate-smart WASH & health agendas
Time: 15:30
Location: Antartica, World Forum
Impacts due to climate change pose a risk to water and sanitation systems; if these systems fail, they in turn threaten human health. As the health and WASH sectors develop climate-smart agendas, where are there overlaps and how do we work together to advocate within the climate space?
Organisers, contributors and presenters
Johanna (José) Sluijs, Amref Flying Doctors
Lindsay Denny, IRC
Martin Muchangi, Amref Health Africa
Dr Githinji Gitahi, Amref Health Africa
Maybin Ng'ámbi, World Vision
Day 2
DAY 2: WEDNESDAY 3 MAY
Strengthening all systems – building resilience with water, sanitation and hygiene
Our systems journey continues as we explore and promote the role of resilient national water and sanitation systems, and the change agenda required to deliver them. Explore how water and sanitation can galvanise the development of wider public services.
C1.4 The role of women and girls in designing solutions to WASH in healthcare
Time: 11:30
Location: Yangtze, World Forum
Poor WASH conditions in healthcare facilities disproportionately impact women and girls, both as healthcare workers and as patients. This session will discuss the strategies WASH and health partners use to more effectively engage women and girls in the process of designing gender-responsive solutions to these challenges in healthcare facilities.
Organisers, contributors and presenters
Lindsay Denny, IRC
Molly Browning, White Ribbon Alliance
Leanne Levers, White Ribbon Alliance
Neha Mankani, , PUSH Campaign
Dr. Mary Eyram Ashinyo, Ghana Health Service
C1.5 Applying system thinking for collaborative WASH and health efforts
Time: 13:45
Location: King Willem Alexander, World Forum
A strong health system is contingent upon the availability of water, sanitation, and hygiene. However, the division between WASH and health often leads to fragmentation, poor coordination, and gaps in service. This session builds on the CONNECT-Health plenary by exploring the lessons learned from successful partnerships between WASH and health actors.
Organisers, contributors and presenters
Cathy Phiri, IMA World Health / Corus International
Lindsay Denny, IRC
Roland Hansen, Malteser International
Arno Coerver, Malteser International
Kate Pearson, Max Foundation
Kirk Dearden, IMA World Health / Corus International
Aarin Palomares, FHI 360, Global Handwashing Partnership
Ruhil Iyer, Sanitation Learning Hub, Institute of Development Studies
Cathy Phiri, IMA World Health / Corus International
C1.6 Working alongside disease-specific health programming
Time: 15:30
Location: South America, World Forum
Within the health system, disease-specific programming is still prevalent. As such, WASH partners need to adapt their strategies to work alongside these efforts. How can WASH be integrated into disease-specific programming? And through this process, are there opportunities to encourage a systems strengthening approach?
Co-hosts/contributors
Yael Velleman, Unlimit Health
Sophie Boisson, World Health Organization (WHO)
Michael Ofire, Amref Health Africa
Dr. Om Prasad Gautam, WaterAid / Ministry of Health, Government of Nepal
Day 3
DAY 3: THURSDAY 4 MAY
Taking action as systems leaders
We'll synthesise insights from the first two days, agree on actions and put you in the driving seat. With help from our Wisdom Council, you’ll take part in Action Assemblies and a final plenary to help define a post-event agenda while –hopefully – committing to your role in it.
C1.7 Follow-up to the UN 2023 Conference's Water and Health Interactive Dialogue
Time: 8:30
Location: Yangtze, World Forum
The first half of this session will tackle how to take forward the recommendations and commitments outline at the UN Water Conference in March 2023, including the Interactive Dialogue on Water and Health. The second half will engage health leadership, along with participants, to reflect on Days 1 and 2 of the Symposium to identify key opportunities for WASH-health partnership.
Organisers, contributors and presenters
Bruce Gordon, World Health Organization (WHO)
Lindsay Denny, IRC
Robert Bos, IRC
HE Dr Dereje Duguma Gemeda, Ministry of Health
Virginia Roaf, Water WISER
Elias Chimulambe, Ministry of Water and Sanitation
C1.8 Action Assembly: Health
Time: 11:00
Location: Amazon, World Forum
It’s time to raise our voices! Participants, not speakers or dignitaries, will be in the driving seat, for these informal town hall-style ‘Assemblies’ dedicated to moving the Water Action Agenda forward. A small number of foundational questions will generate insights, action agendas and systems leadership demands for each.
Organisers, contributors and presenters
All symposium participants.
Our CONNECT Health blogs
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