Saving Uganda’s Newborn Lives through improving access to safe Water, Sanitation and Hygiene
As we join the rest of the world to mark the International Water Day, WaterAid launches a new campaign “Healthy Start” that aims at profiling the impact of lack of safe water and sanitation on new-borns and children health in Uganda.
Healthy Start: the first month of life – a WaterAid briefing – show that annually nearly half a million babies die in the first month of life because they are born into unhygienic conditions. In Uganda 6,800 new born babies died from sepsis, tetanus and other infections linked to dirty water and lack of hygiene in 2013 alone.
The campaign launches as a World Health Organization report reveals that nearly half of hospitals and clinics in Africa do not have access to clean water. And of the 58% of healthcare facilities that have some access, only half are able to count on a safe and reliable supply of clean water.
The World Health Organization report “Water, sanitation and hygiene in health care facilities: status in low and middle income countries and way forward” shows that across 18 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, access to water in healthcare facilities is as low as 20%. In Uganda over one in three (34%) hospitals and clinics did not have access to clean water.
Across Africa one in 20 (5%) did not have safe toilets and one in ten (11%) did not have anywhere to wash hands with soap. Over a third (35%) of hospitals and clinics did not have anywhere for staff or patients to wash their hands with soap.
Uganda’s child survival strategy that was developed by the government and partners with an aim to curtail new-born deaths through cost-effective interventions and delivery mechanisms heavily focuses on treatment of diseases rather than prevention hence the less emphasis on water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) yet it is a central tenet that could prevent the deaths and save the treatment costs
The health sector in Uganda heavily relies on treatment of diseases rather than prevention, and yet primary health care to which WASH is the key component has been less prioritised both in policy, strategies and action plans. The less prioritisation is evidenced by lack of a directorate for environmental health which therefore implies resources (financial and technical). The consequence of this is failure to address environmental health issues hence holding back progress on reducing child ill-health of which evidence is also not systematically gathered or used to inform health programmes.
WASH-related
new-born deaths
In 2013, 2.8 million new-borns (aged 0–28 days) died globally. Almost all deaths occurred in low-resourced settings and could have been prevented; 99% of new-born deaths occur in low and middle-income countries.
Deaths caused by infection which account for nearly half of all deaths in
Saving Uganda’s Newborn Lives through improving access to safe Water, Sanitation and Hygiene
WaterAid is calling for a dedicated goal to deliver water and sanitation to everyone, everywhere by 2030, including in all healthcare facilities
new-borns aged 7–28 days and 14% of new-borns aged 0–7 days are intimately linked to the environmental conditions in which babies are born. A clean environment and access to clean water are essential to reducing new-borns’ risk of infection as shown by the severe infections circle in the chart.
Sepsis (inflammation caused mainly by bacteria) is the leading cause of infection in newborns and is long-associated with poor hygiene at birth.
Research has found that ‘clean birth practices’ including handwashing with soap in homes and facilities were associated with reduced all-cause, sepsis and tetanus newborn deaths.
A study in Nepal found that birth attendant and maternal handwashing protected against neonatal mortality, with 41% lower mortality among newborns exposed to both practices.
While the number of newborn deaths globally is falling, it could be significantly reduced if more attention were given to creating clean birthing environments, and to the water, sanitation and good hygiene practices needed for this.
Water, sanitation and hygiene to protect
newborn health
In order to adequately protect newborns from risks of infection, the World Health Organization (WHO) advocates the practice of ‘six cleans’ during delivery and post-natal care.
Clean hands (of birthing attendants and postnatal careers), Clean perineum, Clean delivery surface, Clean umbilical cord cutting, Clean umbilical cord tying and Clean umbilical cord care
In addition to these it is important to maintain general cleanliness of newborns by washing before, and after, feeding and defecation. All of the above rely on:
Water – access to and use of water that is free from contamination by pathogens and chemicals. This requires convenient and consistent access to sufficient quantities of safe water.
Sanitation – safe disposal of wastes from delivery (i.e. placental waste and medical wastes) and continued safe disposal of newborn excreta.
Hygiene – access to and use of adequate disinfecting materials (i.e. soap and detergents) for achieving hygienic conditions (i.e. for hand-washing, body washing, cleaning surfaces and instruments, laundering sheets etc.)
Our Call to Government
and Stakeholders;
Every healthcare facility has clean running water, safe toilets for patients (separate for men and women, child-friendly, accessible to people with disabilities, and complete with locks and lights), functional sinks and soap for health workers and patients in all treatment and birthing rooms.
No new healthcare facilities are built without adequate, sustainable safe water and sanitation services. This should be spelt out clearly in the Public Health Act currently under review.
Uganda’s healthcare system/ministry should commit to including good hygiene practice and promotion in professional training, plans and actions. Staff and mothers are informed and empowered to practice adequate hygiene measures.
Every birthing centre ensures basic hygiene and sterile conditions, particularly in delivery rooms and operating theatres – such as hand-washing with soap, repeated cleaning and disinfection of facilities, and safe separation of human and medical waste from human contact.
Women giving birth away from maternity clinics must have access to clean water, a clean birthing area and a trained birth attendant who practices safe hygiene.
The government, development partners and stakeholders in newborn health should ensure that water, sanitation and hygiene services (WASH) are integrated in all plans for reducing newborn deaths, Standards for Maternal and Neonatal care and across the health systems plans that encompass any or all of these objectives. Government should ensure finances are made available and used accordingly.
Monitoring and assessment of progress towards universal health coverage include data on the availability of water, sanitation and hygiene services at healthcare facilities and household levels to inform strategies and planning.
The Sustainable Development Goals should include a dedicated goal for Water and Sanitation with ambitious targets for universal WASH access by 2030. The framework should ensure integration between WASH targets and health targets such as universal health coverage and prevention of under-five and maternal mortality.
Investing in water in health facilities and clinics will help Uganda realize better health outcomes. Together we can end the needless and preventable deaths of new-borns through prioritizing Water, Sanitation and Hygiene.
Read MoreNWSC committed to safe water for all
A communication from the National Water and Sewerage corparation stresses the companies commitment to providing safe water for all, The communication reads below:
NWSC has a Strategic Direction (SD) 2013/2018 that
emphasizes “water for all for a delighted customer
by a delighted work force”. The key Strategic Priority
Areas (SPAs) of the SD are, among others:
a) Geographical/operational expansion (operational
coverage has increased from 23 towns in June 2013
to 96 towns in March 2015)
b) Massive network expansion (rate of expansion
has been increased from 80km/yr in 2013 to 1300km/
yr in 2015)
c) Water supply stabilisation in all Areas
d) Improved water quality management and monitoring
e) Large project interventions, especially in Kampala
Water Supply Area
2. Water supply interventions for Kampala
Water Supply Area
The water supply for Kampala is currently approximately
200 million liters per day and demand is approximately
240million liters a day.
i. Short term measures to meet demand
a) Water supply improvement through borehole systems
in Kasangati and Wakiso areas, for example
b) Localized network rationalization activities (as
need arises)
c) Installation of pump boosting facilities where technically
feasible
ii. Medium and long term measures to meet demand
a) 50 million liters additional supply through rehabilitation/
expansion works at Gaba and construction of 8million
liter-tank at Namasuba hill
b) construction of Namasuba – Lubowa/ Lweza and Namasuba
– Mutundwe Nalumunye -kyengera sub mains
c) supply improvement to Naguru tank that will supply
utilise approximately 6 million liters a day of water from
low level system at Centenary Park.
d) construction of a one million litre tank at Kanyanya to
stabilise supply along Gayaza -Kasangati area
e) construction of Katosi water treatment plant and associated
pipe transmission systems scheduled to commence
at the beginning of 2016 and be completed by 2018.
This plant will add additional 120 million litres per day with
an intake facility of 220million litres per day. A combined
capacity of 370million litres per day will cater for Kampala
City needs for at least next 15 years. Funding is already
secured.
3. Water quality monitoring and management
a) We have in the recent past, boosted our water quality
management and monitoring capacity
b) For Kampala, we were carrying out routine water
quality monitoring, but with the recent typhoid outbreak,
we have for purposes of taking precauti- onary measures,
increased on water quality monitoring vigilance; generating
weekly water quality monitoring reports. The results so
far show compliance with National Standards
c) For other NWSC areas, we have instructed our managers
to ensure similar water quality monitoring vigilance
d) we also have contacted Uganda National Bureau
of Standards (UNBS) to carry out external audits/independent
checks of water quality and the results will be
published when they are available
4. The recent social media allegations about NWSC
water quality and water supply by a certain Lynn
MTN
The information contained therein is false and could be
attributed to malicious elements whose intentions we are
yet to find out.
Our NWSC offices are open to provide any additional
information related to these allegations.
5. The air pollution (stench) currently being experienced
around Luzira, Bukasa, Muyenga, Kitintale
etc.
This stench is not directly related to operations of
NWSC and we encourage NEMA to investigate and
find a way forward.
6. In conclusion
NWSC is committed to supplying safe water for
all and will continue to do this with commitment,
despite the challenges we continue to face
MANAGEMENT
NATIONAL WATER AND SEWERAGE CORPORATION
NWSC committed to safe water for all
To report any leaks, bursts, sewage,
overflows, illegal water users,
imposters and any other emergencies,
call our toll free helpline 0800 100
977, 0800 200 977, 0800 300 977
website: www.nwsc.co.ug
facebook: www.facebook.com/
waterug
twitter @nwscug and @NWSCMD
Human Resources Officer, Entebbe, Uganda
Closing date: Friday, 13 March 2015
Posting Title: HUMAN RESOURCES OFFICER, P3
Job Code Title: HUMAN RESOURCES OFFICER
Department/ Office
Regional Service Centre at Entebbe
Duty Station
ENTEBBE
Posting Period
26 February 2015-13 March 2015
Job Opening number
15-HRE-RSCE-41153-F-ENTEBBE (M)
United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity
Special Notice
This ‘Recruit from Roster’ job opening is only open to roster applicants who are already placed on pre-approved rosters, following a review by a United Nations Central Review Body. Only roster applicants who were placed on rosters with similar functions at the same level are considered to be eligible candidates. Eligible applicants receive an email inviting them to apply. Rostered applicants are encouraged to apply only if they are interested and available to take up the position at the duty station/s specified in the Job Opening. Applying to this job opening carries an expectation to accept the offer, if selected.
Organizational Setting and Reporting
This position is located in RSCE Entebbe. The incumbent will report to the Service Delivery Manager.
Responsibilities
Within delegated authority, the Human Resources Officer P-3 will be responsible for the following duties: GENERAL: Provides advice and support to managers and staff on human resources related matters.
Prepares special reports and participates and/or leads special human resources project.
Keeps abreast of developments in various areas of human resources.
RECRUITMENT AND PLACEMENT: Identifies upcoming vacancies in coordination with client offices.
Prepares vacancy announcements, reviews applications, and provides a short-list to those offices.
Arranges and conducts interviews to select candidates.
Reviews recommendation on the selection of candidate by client offices.
Serves as ex-officio in appointment and promotion bodies, examinations boards, and prepares and presents cases to these bodies.
Prepares job offers for successful candidates.
Monitors and evaluates recruitment and placement related activities of client offices, and recommends changes or corrections related to procedures to these offices.
Supervises and monitors the work of the Human Resources Assistants in carrying out all human resources administrative transactions including preparation of personnel actions, maintenance of staffing tables, and processing of contracts.
Plans, organizes, develops, coordinates and administers the National Competitive Examinations, G to P Examinations, Language professionals’ examinations and other programmes and tests related to recruitment of professional, general service and other categories of staff.
ADMINISTRATION OF ENTITLEMENTS: Provides advice on interpretation and application of policies, regulations and rules. Reviews and provides advice on possible exceptions to policies, regulation and rules.
Administers and provides advice on salary and related benefits, travel, and social security entitlements.
Determines and recommends benefits and entitlements for staff on the basis of contractual status.
Reviews policies and procedures and recommends changes as required.
Reviews and recommends level of remuneration for individual contractors and consultants.
STAFF DEVELOPMENT AND CAREER SUPPORT: Identifies and analyzes staff development and career support needs and designs programmes to meet identified needs. Prepares monitoring reports on staff development and career support programmes.
Provides advice on mobility and career development to staff in all categories.
Designs, plans, monitors and provides induction orientation programme and briefing to new staff members.
Provides performance management advice to staff and management. Assists supervisors and staff with understanding and using the electronic performance appraisal system (ePerformance).
Assesses training needs, identifies, designs and delivers training programmes to staff at all levels throughout the Organization.
Advises and counsels staff in respect of rights, responsibilities, code of conduct and difficulties associated with work and entitlements.
Prepares classification analysis of jobs in Professional, Field Service and General Service categories.
Provides guidance to programme managers on the application of classification policies and procedures
Assists in preparing policy papers, position papers and briefing notes on HR related matters.
Competencies
PROFESSIONALISM: Knowledge of human resources policies, practices and procedures and ability to apply them in an organizational setting. Ability to identify issues, formulate opinions, make conclusions and recommendations. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.
PLANNING AND ORGANIZING: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.
CLIENT ORIENTATION: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be ‘clients’ and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.
Education
Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in human resources management, business or public administration, social sciences, education or related area. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying work experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Work Experience
A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in human resources management, administration or related area. Experience in Human Resources systems and processes within the United Nations is desirable.
Languages
English and French are the working languages of the United Nations Secretariat. For this position, fluency in English is required.
Assessment Method
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an informal interview.
United Nations Considerations
The United Nations shall place no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. (Charter of the United Nations – Chapter 3, article 8). The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.
Candidates will be required to meet the requirements of Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter as well as the requirements of the position. The United Nations is committed to the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity for all its human resources, including but not limited to respect for international human rights and humanitarian law. Candidates may be subject to screening against these standards, including but not limited to whether they have committed, or are alleged to have committed criminal offences and/or violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law.
Read MoreFinance Officer, Entebbe, Uganda
Closing date: Friday, 13 March 2015
Posting Title: FINANCE OFFICER, P3
Job Code Title: FINANCE OFFICER
Department/ Office
Regional Service Centre at Entebbe
Duty Station
ENTEBBE
Posting Period
26 February 2015-13 March 2015
Job Opening number
15-FIN-RSCE-41154-F-ENTEBBE (M)
United Nations Core Values: Integrity, Professionalism, Respect for Diversity
Special Notice
This ‘Recruit from Roster’ job opening is only open to roster applicants who are already placed on pre-approved rosters, following a review by a United Nations Central Review Body. Only roster applicants who were placed on rosters with similar functions at the same level are considered to be eligible candidates. Eligible applicants receive an email inviting them to apply. Rostered applicants are encouraged to apply only if they are interested and available to take up the position at the duty station/s specified in the Job Opening. Applying to this job opening carries an expectation to accept the offer, if selected.
Organizational Setting and Reporting
The post is located in the RSCE, Entebbe. The incumbent reports to the Service Delivery Manager.
Responsibilities
Within delegated authority, the Finance Officer will carry out the following duties: Accounts: Reviews and verifies the closing of monthly accounts and preparation of financial statements for submission to Headquarters.
Verifies the data reported in the financial statements.
Scrutinizes source documents for completeness, accuracy and validity of charges.
Reviews and approves various vouchers and accounting transactions, e.g., payroll, payment of staff entitlements, final payments, travel claims, vendor invoices, agencies, field missions, etc., to ensure adherence to relevant staff rules, financial regulations and rules, guidelines or practices.
Maintains internal control procedures to ensure vouchers are processed and correctly posted Umoja.
Investigates erroneous charges and takes appropriate corrective accounting actions.
Reviews and verifies bank reconciliations on a monthly basis.
Examines the validity of requests for increases in petty cash levels; approve disbursement vouchers to replenish petty cash accounts.
Approves the recording of Earmarked Fund (Obligations) in UMOJA.
Supervises other General Service and Field Service staff as required.
Responds to queries from staff members and third parties.
Assists the Chief of Unit/Section in cash management, including preparing cash flow forecasts.
General: Keeps up-to-date on documents/reports/guidelines that have a bearing on matters related to programme, ensuring compliance with intergovernmental recommendations and decisions as well as with United Nations policies and procedures.
Provides guidance and training (including preparation of training materials) to junior staff with respect to transaction processing and the use of various systems such as SAP(UMOJA) and PROGEN.
Drafts/verifies memoranda and/or cables relevant to financial and budget matters to various offices, departments and missions.
Performs other related duties, as assigned.
Competencies
Professionalism: Knowledge in the use and application of the Organization’s financial regulations and rules as well as accounting policies and practices. Ability to extract, interpret, and analyse a wide variety of data and to resolve data discrepancies and other problems. Shows pride in work and in achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns; shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Commitment to implementing the goal of gender equality by ensuring the equal participation and full involvement of women and men in all aspects of work.
Teamwork:
- Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals
- Solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise; is willing to learn from others
- Places team agenda before personal agenda
- Supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position
- Shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings Planning & Organizing:
- Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies
- Identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required
- Allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work
- Foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning
- Monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary
- Uses time efficiently Client Orientation:
- Considers all those to whom services are provided to be ‘clients ‘ and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view
- Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect
- Identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions
- Monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems
- Keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects
- Meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client
Education
Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in business administration, finance or related area. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the advanced university degree.
Work Experience
A minimum of five years of progressively responsible experience in finance, administration, budget, business administration or related field. Experience with United Nations systems and processes is highly desirable.
Languages
Fluency in English is required.
Assessment Method
Evaluation of qualified candidates may include an informal interview.
United Nations Considerations
The United Nations shall place no restrictions on the eligibility of men and women to participate in any capacity and under conditions of equality in its principal and subsidiary organs. (Charter of the United Nations – Chapter 3, article 8). The United Nations Secretariat is a non-smoking environment.
Candidates will be required to meet the requirements of Article 101, paragraph 3, of the Charter as well as the requirements of the position. The United Nations is committed to the highest standards of efficiency, competence and integrity for all its human resources, including but not limited to respect for international human rights and humanitarian law. Candidates may be subject to screening against these standards, including but not limited to whether they have committed, or are alleged to have committed criminal offences and/or violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law.
Read More