About 62% of Africans do not have access to an improved sanitation facility — a proper toilet — which separates human waste from human contact, according to the WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme for Water Supply and Sanitation.
A global report will be published later this year, however, preliminary data on the situation in
The Day, built around the theme that “Sanitation Matters,” seeks to draw attention to the plight of some 2.6 bln people around the world who live without access to a toilet at home and thus are vulnerable to a range of health risks.
“Sanitation is a cornerstone of public health” said Dr Margaret Chan, WHO’s Director-General. “Improved sanitation contributes enormously to human health and wellbeing, especially for girls and women. We know that simple, achievable interventions can reduce the risk of contracting diarrhoeal disease by a third.”
Although WHO and UNICEF estimate that 1.2 bln people worldwide gained access to improved sanitation between 1990 and 2004, an estimated 2.6 bln people – including 980 mln children – had no toilets at home. If current trends continue, there will still be 2.4 bln people without basic sanitation in 2015, and the children among them will continue to pay the price in lost lives, missed schooling, in disease, malnutrition and poverty.
“Nearly 40% of the world’s population lacks access to toilets, and the dignity and safety that they provide,” said Ann M. Veneman, UNICEF Executive Director. “The absence of adequate sanitation has a serious impact on health and social development, especially for children. Investments in improving sanitation will accelerate progress towards the Millennium Development Goals and save lives.â€
Using proper toilets and hand-washing – preferably with soap – prevents the transfer of bacteria, viruses and parasites found in human excreta which otherwise contaminate water resources, soil and food. This contamination is a major cause of diarrhoea, the second biggest killer of children in developing countries, and leads to other major diseases such as cholera, schistosomiasis, and trachoma.
Improving access to sanitation helps create physical environments that enhance safety, dignity and self-esteem. Safety issues are particularly important for women and children, who otherwise risk sexual harassment and assault when defecating at night and in secluded areas.
Also, improving sanitation facilities and promoting hygiene in schools benefits both learning and the health of children. Child-friendly schools that offer private and separate toilets for boys and girls, as well as facilities for hand-washing with soap, are better equipped to attract and retain students, especially girls. Where such facilities are not available, girls are often withdrawn from school when they reach puberty.
In health-care facilities, safe disposal of human waste of patients, staff and visitors is an essential environmental health measure. This intervention can contribute to the reduction of the transmission of health-care associated infections which affect 5 to 30% of patients.
Sanitation is not a dirty word. Sanitation matters.
