Stopping a Global Pandemic Without Water? How WASH is a Neglected Critical Element of Health Security

Sep 24, 20208:30 amSep 24, 20208:30 am

Sep 24, 20208:30 amSep 24, 20208:30 am

Stopping a Global Pandemic Without Water? How WASH is a Neglected Critical Element of Health Security

As we have seen during the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare facilities are critical to the treatment and containment of infections. With a high density of patients and pathogens in limited space, there is a greater possibility for infections to be passed from one person to another. Healthcare facilities must be adequately equipped to deal with outbreaks. However, healthcare facilities across many low- and middle-income countries are ill prepared to thwart the spread of infection. Global health security efforts must integrate WASH; failure to do so will result in substantial weakness in the preparedness of healthcare facilities to prevent epidemics.

On Thursday, September 24th, 2020, MSH, the Frontline Health Workers Coalition, and Global Water 2020 hosted a virtual event on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly to discussion WASH gaps and how to prioritize and invest in these solutions.