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More than two billion people face serious health risks because basic water supply facilities are not available at one in four medical centers in the world, called the UN to call more countries to further fight against the transmission of infections that can be treated, which can become life threatening otherwise. washed or rinsed away.
In the first evaluation of this type, the WASH report (Water and Sanitation of Water) in health care facilities of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Development Fund (UNFF). Childhood, UNICEF, also reveals that one in five health facilities does not have toilets or latrines – This problem affects at least 1.5 billion people and probably reflects the lack of facilities in the community.
"The first thing to do is to wash your hands, no matter what the problem, no matter how tough it is," said Dr Bruce Gordon, WHO's coordinator on WHO's work on water and sanitation. "It's not a case of diarrhea, it's an opportunistic infection that can happily live on the skin or cut itself, and get into your body and cause sepsis (…). We must stop the transmission by washing your hands. "
According to the WHO and UNICEF study, the world's poorest people are the most vulnerable, with basic water services available in just over half of the facilities in the least developed countries ( LDCs).
This LDC deficit is particularly serious for mothers and newborns, as it is estimated that one in five births occur in the world's 47 poorest countries, which means that every year, 17 million women give birth in health centers with insufficient water supply. sanitation and hygiene equipment.
Dangerous inequalities within countries, rural areas lack the most
The report also reveals dangerous inequalities within countries, with rural communities being "the most likely to lack decent health care infrastructure compared to urban dwellers," said Tom Slaymaker of UNICEF, Senior Specialist in Statistics and Monitoring for Water Supply and Sanitation. and hygiene.
"People rely on health facilities without any kind of improved toilets," he said. "Sick people eliminate many more pathogens in their faeces and without toilets, staff, patients – this includes mothers and babies – are much more at risk of disease caused and spread by human waste . "
While in the world, a hospital does not have a toilet, the figure drops to one in five for the smallest health facilities in the world, said Slaymaker.
Public institutions also offer a lower level of care than clinics and private hospitals, he added, before highlighting the report's findings that it is largely impossible to meet the different health needs of men and women. – patients and health professionals.
The needs of people with reduced mobility are also ignored, which is a major problem, as they are generally much more prevalent in health care facilities than in the wider community, Slaymaker insisted. highlight the lack of segregation and elimination of health care. waste.
In a call for more countries to invest in water and sanitation (WASH) services, Gordon said that political commitment was essential.
"We know that WASH generally needs strong public funding in the form of taxes. Certainly, there is a lot of movement to obtain private funds … but if we really want to reach the most vulnerable, those who have very few resources, public spending and taxation must be an important element. part of the equation. "
Mr Slaymaker explained that the adverse consequences of tropical cyclone Idai on southern Africa have worsened the lack of basic infrastructure in many countries in the region, adding that UNICEF was " strongly involved "in the response to Mozambique.
"Obviously, in this kind of situation, the demand for health services is even greater, but the ability to provide them is severely compromised," said Slaymaker, noting that one of the report's goals was to recommend "how to rebuild them later so that we can continue to make health services work in the context of disasters such as those we have just seen. "
In addition to providing an overview of water and sanitation in health care settings, future reports produced every two years will track progress against the Sustainable Development Goals. .
"Hopefully by 2030, all health care facilities will be equipped with basic quality facilities and at 80% of a slightly higher level of service," said Dr. Gordon, so that you can get treatment as soon as you arrive at the hospital. for good and having a good patient experience and the staff members who work there are also in a comfortable and supportive place. "
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