Support Water Aid to help the poorest patients: A health centre is not a health centre if it doesn't have clean water

摘要

In Kharumwa Hospital, in northwestern Tanzania, doctors such as Casmir Lubango have seen clean water and good sanitation transform the care they provide. Lubango's hospital used to run out of clean water or had to use it sparingly, until WaterAid helped provide a reliable source, as well as decent toilets and hygiene training. "I'm happy we have enough water now," said Lubango. "Personal hygiene among patients has greatly improved. Our wards are congested but very clean. Improved access to water and good hygiene practices in a hospital environment means infection prevention and control. There are no longer sepsis cases, due to improved hygiene." These things have won us the trust and confidence of patients, leading to more people visiting for medical attention." Clean water, decent sanitation, and good hygiene are essential to quality healthcare, yet a quarter of the world's healthcare facilities have no clean water on site, a fifth lack basic sanitation, and almost half don't have handwashing points where treatment is given.