MHA FPX 5028 Assessment 4 Water Quality Improvement Action Plan

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Capella University

MHA-FPX 5028 Comparative Models of Global Health Systems

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The WASH Program and Global Water and Sanitation Standards

The WASH program promotes international water and sanitation standards by advocating for the development and maintenance of essential processes among stakeholders. This highlights the importance of a consistent, reliable environment for drinking water and hygiene, supported by prevention, design, and operational strategies with effective management at every relevant level. It also encourages new educational approaches for the community, promoting participation and raising awareness among women, children, and the most vulnerable groups. The program aims to implement intersectional approaches to incorporate assessment and strategic sanitation systems that can be made globally accessible, safeguarding health in water sources.

Additionally, the WASH program supports standards by securing necessary alliances from authorities and stakeholders to develop, implement, and maintain quality systems for monitoring water quality, conveying data, and addressing any water quality issues. The program was established to promote harmony both nationally and globally while upholding the right to safe, clean water and proper sanitation. It aims to advocate for quality water safety plans and collaborate with organizations that develop these health plans. Leaders of this initiative will engage influential figures to consistently prioritize global prevention efforts. WASH enhances public health by reducing annual deaths caused by diseases originating from drinking water and inadequate sanitation services. This approach is a primary defense against outbreaks of infectious diseases and is essential for safeguarding communities. WASH standards will support health initiatives by ensuring successful outcomes. This strategy is also critical to improving maternal and child health, food security, and health emergencies. The health initiatives created by WASH form the foundation for addressing global health priorities.

Requirements and Standards for a Camp

To establish a WASH camp for 5,000 people, the first consideration is the camp’s size, which is crucial for preventing overcrowding. Overcrowding can increase stress among campers and workers, potentially raising mortality rates. The internal and external capacity of these shelters is vital to their success. Site planning should begin by assessing each family’s individual needs, including showers, waste management, and access to services. It is also important to consider cultural factors, such as home layouts and preferences, to increase satisfaction and a sense of ownership among families. These WASH camps will aim to meet basic needs and provide access to healthy water sources and quality sanitation facilities. To ensure the community’s long-term health, WASH involvement will help improve sanitation quality among refugees by identifying gaps and needs, ranging from more systematic drainage systems to practical interventions within these camps.

WASH will work with public health agencies to address waterborne illnesses, aiming to reduce health risks associated with poor water quality and sanitation. Ensuring a safe and adequate water supply for the community is essential. Other necessary facilities for maintaining water quality, hygiene, and sanitation include provisions for feminine hygiene, especially during menstruation. Men and women with bodily fluid issues should have access to necessary products, supporting their dignity. It is also crucial to ensure that water used for cooking and drinking is safe and does not pose health risks, and that toilets are properly functioning (UNHCR, n.d.). One of the most critical aspects is to maintain minimum WASH standards to prevent disease outbreaks.

Scope of Costs Associated with the WASH Quality Improvement Action Plan

The cost of the WASH quality improvement plan over a comprehensive period is estimated to exceed $200 million. “The costliest intervention would be on water service (US$238 million), followed by linen reprocessing (US$112 million), sanitation (US$104 million), surface cleaning (US$80 million), medical device reprocessing (US$56 million), and hand hygiene (US$52 million)” (Tseng, 2020). The long-term costs of the improvement plan will require significant efforts from both federal and local governments committed to these economic investments. These costs will also include capital expenses for materials, labor, and system development for water quality. Other components may involve increased waste management quantity and quality, with investments directed towards this sector.

Potential Funding Sources for Quality Improvement Project

Prospective funding sources for this improvement project include government, private sectors, and NGOs. Government funding is the most common and successful source, comprising grants, taxes, and budgets to support development. The government is a crucial resource for emergency procedures, as it has plans in place for such circumstances. To address challenges and setbacks, it is essential to discuss WASH objectives in planning and allocation. This involves engaging with executives and major donors about funding issues on behalf of the community. Since the government is responsible for public health, their commitment is vital for sustaining these programs and their improvements (McGinnis et al., 2017). The private sector includes donations, NGOs, loans, and other sources. Many WASH programs rely on funding from these sectors. Unfortunately, reliance on these sectors has declined in recent years, indicating difficulties in meeting WASH needs, especially with rising community demands. Partnerships with NGOs from the private sector can provide much-needed support for local plans, offering filtration and disinfection products or emphasizing long-term benefit structures. These collaborations can help reduce government intervention and budgets overall (McGinnis et al., 2017).

Performance Measures to Assess the Quality Initiative Performance

To quantitatively assess the initiative’s performance, consistent measures can be used to track progress over time. These measures provide a summary of the improvement project. Data can be collected to identify trends and patterns that will aid in continuous WASH quality improvement. Initial measurements include appropriate program funding. Congress needs to ensure that funds are allocated back into the program and used across various sectors to support integration into international health programs. Another consideration is the program’s aid effectiveness, ensuring proper oversight. Lastly, measuring the equitable use of WASH services among marginalized groups will be tracked with data trends. These metrics can be used to develop improved programs and applications, such as renewed contracts, quality improvements, and quantitative data for analysis (Motolinia, 2021). To qualitatively evaluate the initiative’s performance, WASH can use comprehensive descriptions to gather details. This will help monitor project goals and identify trends and issues. Combining these methods will help create reliable WASH services and distinguish how outcomes will be achieved.

Summary

Poor water management and sanitation practices continue to hinder efforts to eliminate diseases in impoverished countries. In 2017, 2 billion people globally lacked access to basic sanitation facilities like toilets or bathrooms, and 673 million people still practiced open defecation. According to the WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme for Water Supply and Sanitation, at least 1.2 billion people worldwide drink water contaminated with feces (United Nations, n.d.). The financial benefits of implementing a quality improvement plan are cost-effective. A WHO survey revealed that investments in improving sanitation could yield global savings of over $5 million. Contaminated water is a leading cause of child mortality, and diarrhea is closely linked to inadequate water supply and poor hygiene practices, making improvements crucial for advancing global health.

References

McGinnis, S. M., McKeon, T., Desai, R., Ejelonu, A., Laskowski, S., & Murphy, H. M. (2017). A systematic review: Costing and financing of water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) in schools. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 14(4), 442. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph14040442

Motolinia, E. (2021, July 31). Nuance and numbers: Monitoring incremental change for sustainable WASH systems. Environmental Incentives. https://enviroincentives.com/blog/nuance-and-numbers-monitoring-incrementalchange-for-sustainable-wash-systems/

Tseng, K. K. (2020, December 1). Estimating the cost of interventions to improve water, sanitation, and hygiene in healthcare facilities across India. BMJ Global Health. https://gh.bmj.com/content/5/12/e003045