No fewer than one in four healthcare facilities lack water and sanitation services, impacting over two billion people.According to a new report published yesterday by the World Health Organisation and United Nations Children Fund Joint Monitoring Programme for Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene , more than one million deaths each year are associated with unclean births; and infections account for 26 per cent of neonatal deaths and 11 per cent of maternal mortality.
The report noted that many health centres lack basic facilities for hand hygiene and safe segregation and disposal of healthcare waste. It further stated that these services are crucial to preventing infections, reducing the spread of antimicrobial resistance and providing quality care, particularly for safe childbirth.
The WHO/UNICEF JMP report, WASH in Health Care Facilities, is the first comprehensive global assessment of water, sanitation and hygiene in healthcare facilities.United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, said: “Water, sanitation and hygiene services in health facilities are the most basic requirements of infection prevention and control, and of quality care.
Also, UNICEF Executive Director, Henrietta Fore, said: “When a baby is born in a health facility without adequate water, sanitation and hygiene, the risk of infection and death for both the mother and the baby is high.“Every birth should be supported by a safe pair of hands, washed with soap and water, using sterile equipment, in a clean environment.”
And WHO Director-General, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said: “Imagine giving birth or taking your sick child to a health centre with no safe water, toilets or hand-washing facilities.“That is the reality for millions of people every day. No one should have to do that, and no health worker should have to provide care in those circumstances. Ensuring that all healthcare facilities have basic water, sanitation and hygiene services are essential for achieving a healthier, safer, fairer world.
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