Kamna Kumar 
[File Photo]
Many hospitals and health centers in the Pacific are missing key steps when it comes to keeping patients safe from infections.
UNICEF WASH Specialist Suranga De Silva says hospital cleaning and healthcare waste management including the disposal of used syringes are often overlooked in health systems.
De Silva explains that most people think WASH is only about clean water and toilets, but real infection prevention also includes proper waste management and cleaning.
He emphasizes that if hospitals do not manage waste properly or clean surfaces effectively, it becomes easier for germs to spread and for patients to become sick.
“Health sector is a key challenge I see in bringing in resources of WASH in health care facilities. Because it often gets hidden under the infrastructure. So normally, people talk about building big hospitals, building with incinerators.”
The WASH Specialist suggests that hospitals need the right tools, trained staff, and strong protocols to ensure waste is handled safely and environments are kept clean.
He believes that prioritizing waste management and cleaning will make hospitals safer and strengthen overall health systems.
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