The challenge: Before Pharo Foundation’s intervention, Assosa Hospital used to receive water from Assosa town once a week. This situation was aggravated by capacity constraints due to internal conflict. It was difficult to provide adequate services to as many as 14,500 annual patients, including patients from neighbouring areas and towns. Many physicians and staff were overwhelmed by the poor sanitation and bad smells in the wards, operation rooms and the compound in general. Laundry service and food preparation for patients were very challenging. Many conflicts emerged between health care professionals and hospital management due to the unsafe working environment created by the spread of infectious diseases, whose prevention was impossible in the absence of running water. Staff and patients alike were unhappy with service delivery at the hospital.
Our response: The Foundation upgraded the hospital’s water supply, which effectively resolved the water shortage issue and enhanced the overall functionality and performance of the hospital. The project includes the installation of a 15kw submersible pump, a 60 KVA diesel generator, a compound fence, and a 1.2km pipeline.