• A recent report by WaterAid exposes the serious effects of insufficient water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) facilities in healthcare centers across seven countries in sub-Saharan Africa.

• These included- Ethiopia, Ghana, Malawi, Mali, Nigeria, Uganda, and Zambia.

• The study estimated alarming figures-

1. In 2022, 2.6 billion healthcare-linked infections (HCAIs) occurred due to poor WASH, resulting in 277,160 additional deaths.

2. Over half (50%) of these infections were likely caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
   The economic burden is massive, costing these countries 2.5% to 10.9% of their healthcare budgets.

3. The lost productivity from infections equates to an extra 0.4% to 2.9% loss in GDP.

• WaterAid cautions that the problem will intensify with increasing antibiotic resistance.

• They highlight the cost-effectiveness of improving WASH, estimating the investment required is under US$1 per person—a small amount compared to the savings from reduced HAI costs.

• The report urges several actions:

1. National governments in these countries should allocate specific budgets for WASH in healthcare facilities.

2. The donors, G7 countries, and international financial organizations should prioritize WASH when supporting healthcare development in low- and middle-income countries.

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