3 in 10 health facilities in country ‘lack access’ to clean toilets — UN report
MANILA, Philippines — Three in 10 health care facilities in the Philippines “lack access” to clean toilets, according to a new report by two United Nations organizations that assessed water, sanitation and hygiene in health centers worldwide.
The report by the World Health Organization and the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund Joint Monitoring Program showed that 23% of the health care facilities were unclean, while 4% had no toilets at all.
It also showed that 35% of toilets in Philippine health centers were somewhat clean, while 19% were clean.
Assessment in the Philippines classified toilets as clean if they were observed to have a clean toilet bowl, walls, floor and ceiling.
“Health care facilities won’t be able to provide quality care to people if there is no safe water, toilet or handwashing facility,” Guindo Weiler, WHO representative in the Philippines, said.
He stressed that the recent water shortage in Metro Manila highlighted the need for long-term solutions to water, sanitation and hygiene in health care facilities.
The water shortage that hit Metro Manila affected major hospitals such as Rizal Medical Center in Pasig City; National Center for Mental Health in Mandaluyong Center; and National Kidney and Transplant Institute, Philippine Children’s Medical Center and Quirino Memorial Medical Center in Quezon City.
“The Philippines must ensure that safe water, sanitation and hygiene in health care facilities are available and accessible to ensure health for all Filipinos,” Weiler said.
The report, moreover, noted that one in four health care facilities across the globe lacks basic water services, impacting over two billion individuals.
It also found that one in five health care facilities has no sanitation service, affecting 1.5 billion people.
“Imagine giving birth or taking your sick child to a health center with no safe water, toilets or handwashing facilities,” WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said.
He added: “That’s the reality for millions of people every day. No one should have to do that and no health worker should have to provide care in those circumstances. Ensuring that all health care facilities have basic water, sanitation and hygiene services is essential for achieving a healthier, safer and fairer world.” — Gaea Katreena Cabico
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