WaterAid Timor-Leste handed over the Inclusive Toilet at Community Health Center in Turiscai, Manufahi Municipality

Turiscai Manufahi, 29 January 2026 – WaterAid Timor-Leste officially handed over an inclusive toilet facility at the Turiscai Community Health Center, Manufahi Municipality, strengthening accessible, dignified, and safe sanitation services for patients, health workers, and vulnerable groups.

The facility, supported by Sweden (Sverige) and the Reece Foundation, is designed to support mothers and patients receiving treatment at the health center. It prioritizes accessibility for pregnant women, people with disabilities, children, elderly, health workers, and other vulnerable groups, promoting dignity, safety, and accessibility within healthcare settings. The funding to build an inclusive toilet in the community health center Turiscai with a total budget of $11,443.13, to build two room inclusive toilets that are packaged with WASH facilities, an electric pump installation and a water tower. It benefited the 18 health workers, and 7800 population where 4074 women and 3726 men.

In addition to the construction of the inclusive toilet, health workers at the Turiscai Community Health Center received operation and maintenance (O&M) guidance from the WaterAid Timor-Leste team during the construction process. This support aimed to strengthen the capacity of health workers to properly operate, clean, and maintain the facility, ensuring that the inclusive toilet remains functional, hygienic, and accessible over the long term. Understanding O&M procedures is essential in healthcare settings, where well-maintained sanitation facilities play a key role in infection prevention and patient safety.

As part of the programmed, RHTO presented the accessibility audit report conducted following the completion of construction, providing an assessment of the facility’s compliance with inclusive design principles. WaterAid Timor-Leste also shared a summary report outlining the results and impact of the project.

During the ceremony, the Interino Director-General of Health Policy, Planning and Cooperation expressed his appreciation to WaterAid Timor-Leste and its partners for their continued support to the health sector, particularly in advancing inclusive sanitation in healthcare facilities. He emphasized the importance of accessible infrastructure in improving the quality of health services and ensuring that vulnerable groups can access healthcare services safely and with dignity. The Manufahi Municipal Authority also conveyed its gratitude. The Authority highlighted the positive role of inclusive sanitation facilities in supporting maternal health, community wellbeing, and the overall effectiveness of local healthcare services.

The handover ceremony was attended by the Manufahi Municipal Authority, the Interino Director-General of Health Policy, Planning and Cooperation, the Head of the Environmental Health Department of the Ministry of Health, representatives of MAE, Municipal Health Services, the Director of SMASA, the Director of LBM, as well as health workers, media representatives, and members of the local community.

This initiative contributes to broader national and local efforts to improve inclusive Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) services in healthcare facilities, reinforcing the commitment to ensure that no one is left behind in accessing essential health services.