Capacity Building Virtual Course in the use of the WASH FIT-Waste Tool for Health Facilities

Capacity Building Virtual Course in the use of the WASH FIT-Waste Tool for Health Facilities
Poster of the capacity building

Organizers

Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and Government of Canada.

Description

This activity is aimed to strengthen the technical capacities of health centers staff and government entities in the use and implementation of the WASH FIT-Waste tool, a comprehensive guide developed by PAHO to ensure access to safe water, sanitation, hygiene (WASH) and infection prevention and control (IPC) measures, especially in contexts of emergencies and disasters.

Through three virtual sessions, the aim is to generate a practical and situated training space, in which participants can understand, apply and adapt the key components of WASH FIT-Waste to the reality of their health facilities.

The course combines regulatory and technical content with simulation exercises and case analysis, including a special emphasis on the safe management of hospital waste, one of the most urgent and cross-cutting challenges in the Region. The methodology is designed to promote interaction, critical appropriation and the production of concrete outputs that can be replicated in the immediate environment of the participants.

Target audience

Personnel of health facilities, personnel of entities responsible for the management of solid waste of health facilities, including:

  • technical and administrative staff responsible for water, sanitation, hygiene and infection control;

  • cleaning, maintenance and waste management staff;

  • clinical staff with responsibilities for the implementation of CPI measures.

Participation

  • DATES:
    • SESION 1: June 4, 2025
    • SESION 2: July 3, 2025
    • SESION 3: August 7, 2025
  • PARTICIPATION: ZOOM
  • LANGUAGES: ENGLISH AND SPANISH
  • TIME: 9:00 am (EDT, Washington, Ottawa, Bolivia)
  • OTHER TIME ZONES: 7:00 am: Mexico y Central America; 8:00 am: Colombia, Ecuador, Panama; 10:00 am: Brasilia, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay.

REGISTer

Agenda: 4 June 2025 - Sesion 1

 Time 

 Topics 


9:00 - 12:00

Introduction and needs analysis. Recognize the strategic importance of WASH FIT as a tool for public health action in emergency and disaster contexts. 

  • Introduction of the activity What is WASH-FIT?

  • Structure, scope and regulatory framework (SDGS, WASH FIT/WASH-PRESS, Sphere, Sendai).

  • Diagnosis of WASH and IPC conditions in establishments.

  • Overview of waste management in health in LAC.

Agenda: 3 July 2025 - Sesion 2

 Time 

 Topics 


9:00 - 12:00

Technical components and safe waste management. Identify the technical components of WASH FIT and their applicability in real-world contexts. 

  • Technical components of the guide and waste management: segregation, collection, transportation, storage, recycling, treatment, minimization, and reduction.
  • Application of calculation tools:
    • number of containers;
    • daily waste volume/weight;
    • storage needs;
    • treatment rate;
    • pit sizing.

Agenda: 7 August 2025 - Sesion 3

 Time 

 Topics 


9:00 - 13:00

Emergency monitoring, preparedness and response. Identify concrete actions to implement improvements and establish basic monitoring systems in the health center.

  • General management of WASH and PCI services in health centers.
  • Planning of emergency response measures.
  • Introduction to monitoring tools (WASH PRESS).
  • Courses and Inputs of the PAHO Virtual Campus.