Participants engage in an interactive ice breaker activity during ToT workshop on WASH-FIT. Photo credit: WHO/CEHA 30 October 2025 – The World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean, through its Centre for Environmental Health Action (CEHA), in collaboration with the WHO Country Office and the Ministry of Health in the Syrian Arab Republic, successfully concluded a 5-day national forum on water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) in health care facilities.
Held in Damascus from 12 to 16 October, the forum included stakeholders, representatives from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), donor agencies, embassies and national and international non-governmental organizations, united by a shared commitment to improving WASH services in health care settings across Syria.
Participants of the training during a field visit to Al-Zahera Al-Jadeeda Comprehensive Health Care Centre in Damascus to practice assessing WASH FIT indicators. Photo credit: WHO/CEHAThe first 4 days of the forum featured a training of trainers (ToT) workshop for 40 professionals from the Ministry of Health. Led by Dr Rola Al-Emam, Technical Officer on WASH, and Eng. Sohaib Abu Hamoor, Senior Technical Assistant on WASH, the sessions included interactive learning, group exercises and practical demonstrations. Participants were trained to assess, prioritize and enhance WASH services using WHO’s Water and sanitation for health facility improvement tool (WASH FIT).
A field visit to Al-Zahera Al-Jadeeda Comprehensive Health Care Centre provided hands-on experience in applying WASH FIT indicators and developing tailored improvement plans.
The forum concluded with a high-level meeting that brought together senior government officials, development partners and health leaders to reaffirm Syria’s commitment to institutionalizing WASH FIT within the national health system. Attendees included Dr Hussien Alkhateeb, Assistant Minister of Health; Dr Mohamed Salem, Director of Primary Health Care; Dr Yaser Alfrooh, Director of Communicable Diseases, and Dr Idreis Rasheed, representing the WHO Representative in Syria. Representatives from the Ministries of Local Administration, Environment and Water Resources also contributed to the discussions.
High-level panel discussion on the institutionalization of WASH FIT on the final day of the national forum in Damascus Photo credit: WHO/CEHAThe meeting emphasized the essential role of WASH in infection prevention and control, antimicrobial resistance, quality of care and climate resilience. Participants called for strengthened governance, sustainable financing and enhanced multisectoral coordination to ensure long-term impact. During the high-level panel discussion, Dr Ayman Bani Mousa from the Ministry of Health in Jordan shared valuable experiences and lessons learned in institutionalizing and implementing WASH FIT, offering practical insights for his Syrian counterparts.
This forum marks a pivotal step in Syria’s journey toward ensuring that every healthcare facility delivers safe, clean, and dignified care. By empowering national trainers and reinforcing leadership commitment, WHO and its partners are supporting the Ministry of Health in translating global WASH standards into sustained local action—contributing to a healthier, safer, and more resilient future for all.
