KENYA – The Kenyan Ministry of Health has launched key policy documents to guide the management of menstrual hygiene and guidance on urban sanitation in a bid to strengthen hygiene and sanitation in the country.
The policy entails three key documents addressing Hygiene Promotion in Schools, Menstrual Hygiene Management in Schools and the Kenya National Guidelines for Implementation of Urban Sanitation.
The guidelines will ensure that development plans for urban areas have in-built sanitation components and the sanitation systems are designed and managed safely to protect human health from microbial hazards caused by human excreta & consequent adverse health outcomes.
Moreover, the Ministry of Health has collaborated with integrated Health & Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) partners to develop several policy documents and strategies that provide a framework for the implementation of Sanitation and Hygiene interventions.
The Ministry of Health through the WASH Division Department of Public Health has continuously sensitized, built the capacity of officers and spearheaded the development of WASH activities.
The ministry is also currently reviewing its rural sanitation protocols and strategies such as the rural sanitation & hygiene protocol, its implementation guidelines & Monitoring framework along with the Sanitation & Hygiene Roadmap.
The key policy documents will provide vigorous details that will enable all Kenyans to enjoy their right to the highest attainable standards of sanitation since sanitation and hygiene contributes greatly to better health.
Additionally, the documents provide strategies and framework for the implementation of sanitation and hygiene interventions as a means to reduce diseases and poverty.
During the launch, Health Cabinet Administrative Secretary (CAS) Dr. Mercy Mwangangi said the policies set priorities, allocate resources for implementation and are reflected in laws and regulations.
The guidelines will also support efforts towards a clean and healthy environment as guaranteed by the Constitution of Kenya 2010 and the Vision 2030.
“The documents include the Revised Kenya Environmental Sanitation & hygiene bill, Hygiene Policy, Kenya Environmental Sanitation & Hygiene Strategic Framework, rolled out National ODF 2020 Campaign Road map, Prototype environmental Sanitation bill among others,” noted Dr. Mercy.
She explained that despite COVID-19 testing Kenya’s healthcare practices, the health ministry has witnessed a reduction in diseases following an increase in good sanitation practice around the country through proper hand washing & sanitizing.
For instance, the ministry launched the real-time monitoring system as a timely tool for monitoring of sanitation & hygiene indicators as aligned with the Joint Monitoring program, Global Analysis, Assessment Statistics for Sanitation & the new Rural Sanitation & Hygiene Protocol.
She maintained that easy access to safe water, adequate sanitation and intensified hygiene education can reduce illness and death from disease leading to improved health, poverty reduction, and socio-economic development.
Liked this article? Sign up to receive our regular email newsletters, focused on Africa and World’s healthcare industry, directly into your inbox. SUBSCRIBE HERE
