Speech by Dr Bardan Jung Rana, WHO Representative to Bangladesh
Colleagues, Ladies and Gentlemen, a very good morning to you all, and thank you for inviting me to this event to observe World Water Day 2021, under the theme "Valuing Water".
What is the value of water? It goes beyond its simple cost. SDG 6, which calls on ensuring water and sanitation for all, considers this a priceless resource in all its dimensions. Water has an incredible and complex worth in all aspects of our daily lives, from our households, food, culture and health, to our education, economics and finally, the integrity of the natural environment that surrounds us.
Water is a key milestone in the path to ensure safe, equitable, and universal access to healthcare services. WHO is fully committed to closely working with the Government of Bangladesh, UN agencies and other partners to improve people's living conditions, build responsiveness and resilience to risks and emergencies, and ensure safe and inclusive access to water.
Among the several programmes and projects, WHO, in partnership with UNICEF has developed technical guidelines on Water, Sanitation, Hygiene and Medical waste management, to improve the quality of health services and prevent the spread of infections and diseases.
Our goal is to achieve universal and equal access to health services, including Water Sanitation and Hygiene. High standards for water safety and security must, therefore, be met and followed. On this action line, WHO has supported the Ministry of Health in developing such standards for Health Care Facilities.
The value of water is also well recognized in the Water Safety Plan. Jointly with the Department of Public Health Engineering, WHO is supporting several municipalities to implement the Water Safety Plan to ensure safe and secure access to water for better health protection and well-being.
Water also plays a significant role in fighting numerous diseases, such as diarrhoea, cholera and other non-tropical ones. WHO recently estimated that 58% of all diarrhoea cases in low and middle-income countries could be attributed to its 34% to inadequate drinking-water, 20% to hygiene, and 19% to sanitation. Moreover, diarrhoeal diseases are among the main contributors to global child mortality, causing 20% of all deaths in children under five years. In Bangladesh, the mortality rate due to diarrhoea is 7.5 deaths per 100,000.
Water is pivotal to prevent these diseases: as a matter of fact, it has been seen that interventions that improved drinking-water effectively reduced diarrhoeal morbidity by 45%, whereas the actions that enhance access to sanitation and hygiene, respectively, reduced diarrhoeal morbidity by 28% and 23%. The burden from other diseases such as Trachoma, filariasis, Dengue, and schistosomiasis is also mostly attributed to the WASH and environment's risk factors. To predict and timely address the possible outbreak of water-borne diseases, WHO supports the health sector in developing an Early Warning and Response System.
Speaking about diseases, Water has also been a vital weapon during this COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in reducing the transmission of the virus. Frequent hand washing, cleaning and disinfection with water and other agents have been proven to be amongst the most effective measures to cut off the route of transmission of COVID-19.
WHO Regional Director for South-East Asia Region, Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh has quoted - "Now more than ever, as we embrace the new normal and live with COVID-19, hand hygiene needs to become an integral part of our daily routine and our lives, as we live through this pandemic, and beyond, to protect us from diseases".
WHO applauds the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives for taking a lead role in responding to this pandemic. The Ministry adopted strategic response measures, such as ensuring the continuity of safe water supplies, building handwashing stations in public places, and taking part in the countrywide handwashing campaign. They made a tremendous difference in the management of the current health emergency.
WHO has been tirelessly supporting the Government of Bangladesh in its pandemic response since Day 1. And now with the governments effort to vaccinate its population against this virus.
This pandemic is not over yet. It is of the utmost importance that, along with vaccination, we pursue the prevention and control good habits we took during the last year. Properly wearing the mask, observing adequate distance and frequently washing and sanitizing hands can safeguard all of us from this deadly disease.
Mr chairman, Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen, please allow me to reiterate once again the WHO's commitment to supporting the Government and the people of Bangladesh in their endeavour of ensuring safe, equitable and inclusive access to water and sanitation, thus achieving healthy lives and well-being for all.
Thank you.