WASH and Maternal Health Initiative - Ethiopia

Over the course of the summer, VHP and our on-the-ground partners have made some great progress on the WASH and Maternal Healthcare Initiative.  We are excited to report that Afro Ethiopia Integrated Development began implementing the BMZ WASH and Maternal Healthcare Initiative in the Spring of 2018.  Since implementation, AEID and VHP have accomplished the following:

• Construction of maternity waiting areas (MWAs) at the Tum Health Center and the Bachuma Hospital is well underway
• Installation of a two-stall concrete pit latrine with shower has been installed at the Jomu Health Center 
• Installation of an AFREDIV pump at the Shey Bench Health Center

The rainy season presented some challenges for the project but as soon as the rains end, the rest of the construction projects will be initiated.   In the meantime, Zonal leadership pledges their support for the projects and the Zonal Health Department has agreed to work closely with VHP and AEID to:

• clean compounds and buildings
• construct fenced bio-hazard areas with placenta pits and incinerators
• ensure sterilization of instruments 
• install hand-washing stations with soap at each of the targeted health facilities

Overall, VHP’s WASH and Maternal Healthcare Initiative is progressing in the BMZ and we look forward to the continued success of project implementation in the coming months. 

We appreciate your on-going support of these critical projects, positively impacting maternal health in rural Ethiopia.