The Ministry of Well being (MoH), in collaboration with the World Well being Group (WHO) held an inception assembly with key stakeholders on 27 August 2024 at WHO Nation Workplace to formally launch the UN-Water International Evaluation and Evaluation of Sanitation and Consuming-Water (GLAAS) 2024/25 nation survey.

The GLAAS survey will acquire info that shall monitor Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) programs in Uganda with particular emphasis on marginalized teams. The intention is to make use of this info to increase WASH companies to all and guarantee it’s sustainable extra time. The inception assembly was supposed to deliver all actors of WASH collectively to help this nation led course of.

The 2024/25 GLAAS cycle will concentrate on governance, human sources, monitoring, and finance inside WASH programs. It is going to present a helpful scenario evaluation, assist decision-makers outline priorities, deliver totally different stakeholders collectively, and devise plans. Moreover, it’ll place vital emphasis on gender points, notably menstrual well being and hygiene administration, as a part of a broader technique to strengthen nationwide monitoring programs. The initiative can be executed by an inclusive course of involving authorities entities, improvement companions, civil society, and native governments.

At International degree, the GLAAS initiative has been pivotal in enhancing international WASH programs since its preliminary launch in 2008.  Within the earlier 2021/22 cycle, the participation had 124 international locations and 23 exterior help businesses. By means of GLAAS, taking part international locations have used the excellent evaluation and dependable knowledge that inform coverage, and decision-making in any respect ranges. Nations have developed high quality requirements, methods, plans and have advocated for funding in help of improved WASH programs.

In line with Dr. Herbert Nabaasa, Commissioner-Division of Setting Well being on the Ministry of Well being, Uganda has made many strides within the WASH sector lately subsequently GLAAS will complement the efforts. He suggested that the info assortment course of be carried out totally in order to higher inform the nation which areas want strengthening.

“The GLAAS report has constantly offered invaluable knowledge that information nationwide and international WASH initiatives. Our collective efforts will assist make sure that Uganda not solely meets its WASH-related SDG targets but additionally enhances its capability to answer future well being emergencies,” acknowledged Dr. Christine Musanhu Chiedza, Officiating WHO Consultant to Uganda.

As Uganda embarks on this vital journey, the GLAAS 2024/25 cycle is anticipated to yield vital outcomes, together with strengthened nationwide monitoring programs and a extra sturdy response framework for WASH challenges as extensively mentioned through the inception assembly.

The GLAAS 2024/25 cycle is ready to play a pivotal position in shaping Uganda’s method to WASH within the coming years, reflecting the nation’s dedication to sustainable improvement. Info collected by the GLAAS nation survey can be offered within the UN-Water GLAAS 2025 report and featured on the GLAAS knowledge portal.