WaterAid claims 10 per cent of healthcare facilities lack clean water and soap. WaterAid Cambodia
Around three million Cambodians are at risk of Covid-19, as well as other epidemics, because of a lack of proper hand cleaning stations, while 10 per cent of healthcare facilities in the country lack clean water and soap, NGO WaterAid Cambodia said on Monday.
In anticipation of the 73rd World Health Assembly, which was held virtually on Monday, WaterAid urged Cambodia’s Ministry of Health and relevant institutions to make hygiene a priority in the country’s overall plan.
In a press release, the NGO said the world’s poorest communities are struggling with the novel coronavirus because clean water and soap are unavailable.
Cambodia’s health facilities can only effectively challenge the virus when doctors, nurses and midwives are adequately protected and equipped, it said.
WaterAid offered support to the government and endorsed the idea of promoting hand hygiene and disseminating information regarding hygiene, but it remained concerned about the three million Cambodians without water and soap, as well as the healthcare facilities that lacked such essentials.
“Even though hand cleansing is a priority to prevent the spread of Covid-19, about 21 per cent of Cambodians still don’t have hand cleaning stations with clean water and soap. In Cambodia, 10 per cent of health bases lack clean water,” WaterAid said.
Its country director Chat Sophiep said procuring clean water to consume and having proper hand cleaning stations with soap was necessary to protect against the spread of the novel coronavirus.
“I call on the health ministry and relevant institutions to continue their support for Cambodian’s health staff by providing them with soap and clean water to efficiently protect their safety,” he said.
But officials were wary of the WaterAid’s report.
Ministry of Health spokesperson Or Vandine did not respond to WaterAid’s evaluation but questioned where the NGO received its information.
In its press release, WaterAid quoted the deputy-director of Chrey Bak Health Centre in Kampong Chhnang province, named as Sophea, who said her health centre has enough clean water and soap to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
Sophea said healthcare workers and patients have to practice good hygiene and wear masks before entering her centre.
“My staff and I are very careful and always practise good hygiene. My treatment room is small. Before, I could let several pregnant women come in the room for health education sessions and check-ups.
“Now, to keep them safe and prevent Covid-19 transmission, I have to allow only one person at a time in the room to ensure good physical distancing and keep them safe,” she said.
WaterAid also quoted Wendy Graham, a professor at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine.
She lamented the fact that despite promises made last year in the World Health Assembly Resolution on water, toilets and hygiene in healthcare facilities, there was still a glaring need for such resources.
“Sadly, too little progress has been made in meeting those commitments. Covid-19 is a stark reminder that we ignore these basics of hygiene at the peril of humanity,” Graham said, while not mentioning Cambodia specifically.
