Geneva / New York / Paris, December 14, 2020 – COVID-19 and other diseases pose an increased risk in about 1.8 billion people who go to or work in health facilities without basic water services, warn WHO and UNICEF.
« Working in a health facility without water, sanitation and hygiene is a bit like sending nurses and doctors to work without personal protective equipment. », affirms Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of WHO. « Providing water, sanitation and hygiene in health facilities are fundamental to stopping COVID-19. However, important gaps remain to be filled, particularly in the least developed countries. »
The report entitled Global progress report on WASH in health care facilities: fundamentals first (Global Progress Report on WASH in Healthcare Facilities: Basics First) is released as COVID-19 highlights vulnerabilities that exist in health systems, including inadequate infection prevention and control measures.
Access to water is essential for the safety of professionals and patients
Water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) are essential elements for the safety of healthcare professionals and patients. However, the provision of these services is not a priority. Globally, one in four health facilities does not have water supply services, one in three does not ensure hand hygiene where care is provided, and one in ten does not have access to sanitation services, and one in three does not sort their waste safely.
« Sending health workers and people in need of treatment to facilities without clean water, safe toilets, or even soap puts their lives at risk », affirms Henrietta Fore, Executive Director of UNICEF. « This was already a reality before the COVID-19 pandemic, but the events of this year prevent us from ignoring these shortcomings any longer. As we reimagine and shape the post-COVID world, ensuring that children and mothers are sent to places that have adequate water, sanitation and hygiene services is not just what that we can and must do is an absolute obligation. »
It is in the 47 least developed countries (LDCs) on the planet that the situation is most catastrophic : one in two health establishments does not have a basic drinking water supply service, one in four does not have handwashing facilities where care is provided and three in five do not have no access to basic sanitation services.
This problem is not insoluble. According to preliminary estimates in the report, the cost to enable the establishment of basic water supply services in health facilities in the 47 PMA would amount to 1 US dollar per capita. On average, the operation and maintenance of these services would require 0.20 US dollar per capita each year.
A problem far from insoluble
Immediate spike in WASH investment has high payoffs, report says : improving hygiene in health facilities is a “ winning purchase To fight against microbial resistance. It reduces the cost of health care, because it reduces infections linked to healthcare (which are expensive to treat). It saves time for health professionals, who no longer have to fetch water to wash their hands. Better hygiene also increases uptake of services. All these advantages add up to give a yield of 1.5 US dollar for every dollar invested.
These services are fundamental for vulnerable populations, including pregnant women, newborns and children. Improving WASH services in health facilities is especially important during the period around birth, when far too many mothers and newborns suffer and die, including from preventable causes, such as sepsis. Better WASH services could save the lives of a million women and newborns and reduce stillbirths.
The report makes four main recommendations :
- Apply budgeted national roadmaps with appropriate funding ;
- Monitor and regularly review progress in improving WASH services and practices as well as the enabling environment for this sector ;
- Strengthen the capacities of health professionals to maintain WASH services and to promote and practice good hygiene ;
- Integrate WASH into regular health sector planning, budgeting and programming, including in relation to the COVID-19 response and recovery efforts to provide quality services.
More global funding is needed
Global partners in the WASH and health sector have shown their determination to meet targets for WASH in health facilities globally and nationally. In 2020, more than 130 partners had committed resources and 34 of them had made exclusive financial commitments for a total of 125 millions de dollars US.
Nevertheless, the implementation of the resolution on WASH in healthcare facilities, taken at the 2019 World Health Assembly, is uneven. Out of nearly 50 countries for which WHO and UNICEF have data, 86 % have updated their standards and 70 % have completed initial assessments that show they are on track in these areas. Even so, only a third of countries have budgeted their national roadmaps for WASH in health facilities and only 10 % have included WASH indicators in monitoring their national health systems.
To ensure the protection and safety of healthcare professionals and patients, more essential global funding, technical assistance and domestic resources are needed. Today we have an opportunity to build on existing efforts and commitments and integrate WASH in health facilities into all national plans related to COVID-19, vaccine distribution and measures. economic recovery.
Water, the first personal protective equipment
« The first personal protective equipment for millions of healthcare professionals is water », Explain Jennifer Sara, Senior Director of the World Bank Group’s Global Water Expertise Hub. “It is fundamental that funds are maintained so that those on the front line in the fight against COVID-19 can benefit from water and sanitation services. One of the most profitable investments governments can make is funding for WASH in healthcare facilities. “
Data released by the WHO in October indicates that the proportion of healthcare workers infected with COVID-19 is much higher than in the rest of the population : they represent less than 3 % of the population, but account for 14 % of COVID-19 cases reported to WHO worldwide. Ensuring that healthcare professionals have access to basic WASH services is imperative to maintaining their safety and that of their patients, families and children.
« Millions of people have no choice but to turn to the 50 % of health facilities in developing countries that do not have clean water on site. This can not go on. Every day, the lives of healthcare professionals and patients are in danger », affirms Tim Wainwright, Managing Director of the international charity WaterAid. « If frontline caregivers can’t wash their hands, provide clean water for their patients, or find decent toilets, a hospital becomes a breeding ground for disease. »
Access the full report and infographics here
– .
