"Working in a healthcare facility without water, sanitation and hygiene is akin to sending nurses and doctors to work without personal protective equipment," said WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. According to WHO figures, while health professionals make up less than 3% of the population, they account for 14% of Covid-19 cases recorded around the world. "Sending healthcare workers and people in need of treatment to facilities without clean water, safe toilets or even soap puts their lives at risk," said Unicef chief Henrietta Fore. The report also found that one in three health facilities around the world could not guarantee hand hygiene, while one in 10 did not have access to sanitation services. The WHO and Unicef calculated that it could cost around $1 per inhabitant to provide basic water services in these countries' health centres - and 20 cents each to maintain such facilities each year.

Source: Dhaka Tribune December 14, 2020 03:56 UTC