WHO: Access to Clean Water a Must

Water and Sanitation Lacking in Developing Countries

The World Health Organisation (WHO), in partnership with UNICEF, launched a joint report looking at health facilities worldwide and ways to increase funding mechanisms to address access to water and sanitation services in developing countries.

“New data from WHO and UNICEF shows that one in four health facilities around the world lack basic water services. This puts health workers and patients at risk from infections of all kinds, makes childbirth much less safe, and drives antimicrobial resistance.” WHO

It is estimated that 1.8 billion people are at greater risk of contracting COVID-19 because they are working in health care facilities without basic water services.

“Working in a health care facility without water, sanitation and hygiene is akin to sending nurses and doctors to work without personal protective equipment”, said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “Water supply, sanitation and hygiene in health care facilities are fundamental to stopping COVID-19. But the…