The World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean, through its Centre for Environmental Health Action (CEHA), successfully concluded a regional training of trainers on the Water and Sanitation for Health Facility Improvement Tool (WASH-FIT). Organized in partnership with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) Middle East and North Africa Regional Office and in collaboration with UNICEF MENA, the five-day event aimed to strengthen national capacity to enhance WASH services in health care facilities.
The training, held from 5 to 9 October 2025, brought together 25 representatives from Red Cross and Red Crescent National Societies across 11 countries, including Lebanon, Yemen, Iran, the occupied Palestinian territory, Algeria, Tunisia, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Libya, Egypt, and Jordan. Participants also took part in a field visit to Al-Jubiha Comprehensive Health Centre, where they gained practical experience in assessing and improving water, sanitation, and hygiene services.
WASH-FIT is a WHO/UNICEF risk-based management tool designed to help health facilities evaluate and strengthen critical areas such as water supply, sanitation, hand hygiene, health care waste management, environmental cleaning, and energy use. It plays an essential role in advancing infection prevention, patient safety, climate resilience, and sustainable health systems. The training was co-facilitated by experts from WHO, UNICEF, and IFRC, who provided technical guidance and interactive learning sessions to equip participants with the necessary skills for national-level implementation.
This collaborative effort highlighted the region’s shared commitment to strengthening health systems through sustainable WASH practices. By integrating WASH-FIT into national strategies, countries are better positioned to safeguard public health, ensure quality care, and build resilience to climate change. WHO CEHA expressed appreciation to all partners and participants for their contributions toward improving WASH services across the Eastern Mediterranean Region.
