Recent research casts an illuminating spotlight on the health and economic effects of inadequate water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) in healthcare settings across seven sub-Saharan African countries. These nations, namely Ethiopia, Ghana, Malawi, Mali, Nigeria, Uganda and Zambia, experienced an overwhelming burden to their health and economic systems due to inadequate WASH provisions in their healthcare facilities.
WaterAid, a non-governmental organization, released a report last week revealing that poor WASH conditions contributed to approximately 2.6 billion healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs) and an excess of 277,160 fatalities last year. These infections are believed to have been triggered by antimicrobial-resistant (AMR) bacteria, accounting for at least half of the total HCAIs reported.
The financial implications of these infections are enormous, eating into 2.5% to 10.9% of the seven countries’ healthcare budgets, depending on the country. Furthermore, these statistics have impacted the nations’ economies, with lost wages and productivity due to HCAIs accounting for 0.4% to 2.9% of the countries’ gross domestic product.
Almost 4 million people worldwide, predominantly residents of low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), lack ordinary hygiene services at their healthcare facilities, while approximately one in five individuals lack basic water services. It’s also worth noting that the rate of HCAIs in healthcare facilities with sub-par WASH conditions in LMICs is more than twice that of facilities in high-income countries (15.5% vs 7.6%).
Inadequate WASH in healthcare facilities doesn’t just pose a health risk. It also causes other negative repercussions related to the quality of care, including impact on patient satisfaction, dignified and respectful care, future healthcare-seeking behaviours, and healthcare worker morale, motivation and retention. With rising rates of AMR, these problems are likely to exacerbate further.
Consequently, WaterAid urges national governments to allot a dedicated budget line for WASH in healthcare facilities, and encourages donors, G7 countries, and multilateral financing institutions to prioritize WASH when collaborating with national governments in LMICs. The organization posits that the less than $1 per capita expense needed to offer basic wash services at healthcare facilities would be offset by the savings garnered from a decrease in the medical expenses linked to HCAIs.
In terms of ongoing disease matters in Vietnam, a human H9 avian flu case was recently reported. The person affected, a 37-year-old man, resides adjacent to a poultry market. Although there were no reports of diseased or deceased birds near his living quarters, an investigation is underway.
Onto vaccination-related research, a study published in the CMAJ revealed that family physicians in lower-income, marginalized neighborhoods saw the highest percentage of unvaccinated COVID-19 patients. Solo-practicing family doctors, as opposed to those who use a team-based model, also reportedly saw fewer vaccinated patients.
Last but not least, a systematic review and meta-analysis determined that antibiotic use before invasive dental procedures could lower the risk of infective endocarditis (IE) in high-risk patients. This finding, however, doesn’t pertain to patients considered moderate- or low-risk.