In news

The status of WASH (water, sanitation and hygiene) in healthcare facilities is an important issue in development

Impact

• A WHO document on WASH in healthcare facilities points out that 8,27,000 people in low- and middle-income countries die as a result of inadequate water, sanitation and hygiene each year.
• Death of 2,97,000 children under five years can be prevented each year if better WASH could be provided.
• On a positive note, a 2012 WHO report had calculated that for every dollar invested in sanitation, there was $5.50 to be gained in lower health costs, more productivity and fewer premature deaths.

Antimicrobial resistance

• In the fight against the spread of antimicrobial resistance too, the importance of prevention of infections cannot be overemphasised.
• “This study was a part of a larger project to determine the cost-effectiveness of WASH interventions to reduce healthcare-associated infections among mother and neonates across the Indian healthcare system

Source: The Hindu