WHO unveils plan on water, sanitation, hygiene integration

MANILA, Philippines - The World Health Organization (WHO) has unveiled a global plan to better integrate water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) with four other public health interventions to strengthen programs against neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) by 2020.

WHO director for public health, environmental and social determinants of health Maria Neira, said millions suffer from devastating WASH-related neglected tropical diseases such as soil-transmitted helminthiasis, guinea-worm disease, trachoma and schistosomiasis – all of which affect mainly children.

“Solutions exist, such as access to safe water, managing human excreta, improving hygiene and enhancing targeted environmental management. Such improvements not only lead to improved health, but also reduce poverty,” Neira noted.

Targeted water and sanitation interventions are expected to bolster ongoing efforts in tackling 16 out of the 17 NTDs, which affect more than one billion of the world’s poorest and most vulnerable populations.

A recent report showed that this year, more than 660 million people do not have access to improved water sources.

The WHO-United Nations Children’s Fund joint monitoring program for water supply and sanitation report also showed that almost 2.5 billion people lacked access to improved sanitation.

Open defecation and lack of hygiene are important risk factors for the transmission of many NTDs. Over half a million lives are lost each year as a result of NTDs.

According to Dirk Engels, director of the Department of Control of NTDs, joint planning, resourcing and delivery of WASH interventions are key to eliminating NTDs and in achieving many public health and human development goals.

“The benefits are enormous – from alleviation of suffering through improved outcomes to healthier, wealthier and happier families, communities and nations,” Engels added.

Besides advocating for basic water, sanitation and hygiene, WHO promotes four other key interventions in overcoming the global burden of NTDs.

These are preventive chemotherapy, innovative and intensified disease management, vector control and veterinary public health services.

Prioritizing water and sanitation is expected to address the determinants of many NTDs and support WHO’s drive for equitable and sustainable universal health coverage.