Universal Health 2030 Solving Complex Health System Problems
February 2017 BusinessDaily; The World Bank has warned that Kenya will continue to suffer the economic costs of poor sanitation unless it addresses the challenges arising from diarrhoeal disease, cholera and other epidemics.
Christiaan Heymans, Senior Water and Sanitation Specialist at the World Bank, noted that far too many aspects of sanitation remain unresolved in the country including open defecation, poor waste disposal and low uptake of improved sanitation facilities.
Previous research conducted by the organisation showed that the country loses an estimated Sh27 billion yearly due to sanitation related ailments, deaths, pollution and epidemic outbreaks.
“What is clear is that we cannot end poverty if we do not address sanitation. We must continue to bear in mind that those negatively impacted are the voiceless and we must be their voice,” he said during the ongoing Kenya Second National Sanitation Conference Wednesday.
Mr Heymans stated that interventions such as improved toilet facilities and enhanced awareness on proper sanitation will saves lives and bring down medical expenses linked to poor sanitation such as cholera and diarrhoea.
Diarrhoeal disease leads in sanitation-related child deaths in the country with a World Bank study pegging it for 75 per cent of the Sh27 billion annual cost to the economy.
Sporadic cholera epidemics also result in catastrophic health impacts with 30 out of Kenya’s 47 counties hit by an outbreak of the disease last year alone.
More investment
Dr Kepha Ombacho, Director of Public Health at the Ministry of Health (MOH), called for increased investment in sanitation.
“A huge proportion of the health budget goes to treatment and curative services. Yet, by investing in sanitation and other preventive approaches, we will ensure that the diseases don’t occur in the first place,” he said.
“Instead of waiting for people to become sick then then proceed to treat them, it’s better and much cheaper to prevent the illness,” he added.
Poor sanitation is linked to a number of ailments including polio, pneumonia, diarrhoea, and stunting in children. Any of these conditions lower the immunity of those affected making them prone to other illnesses.
