Water, sanitation and hygiene in health care facilities: Challenges and priorities

• Main Authors: Jovanović Dragana, Ristanović-Ponjavić Ivana
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Savez inženjera i tehničara Srbije 2017-01-01
• Series: Tehnika
• Subjects: water sanitation and hygiene; health care facilities; water safety plan
• Online Access: http://scindeks-clanci.ceon.rs/data/pdf/0040-2176/2017/0040-21761701143J.pdf

The microbial agents that cause infectious diseases are highly prevalent in health care facilities. Adequate water supply, sanitation and hygiene are the key elements for the provision of basic health services. The consequences of poor sanitary and hygienic conditions and inadequate water supply are numerous in health care facilities. The importance of improving water supply, sanitation and hygiene in health care facilities has been recognized as an international priority and set in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, particularly through goal 3.8 and 6. The establishment and maintenance of safe water supply and adequate sanitary and hygienic conditions has multiple benefits for health care facilities. It is necessary to introduce and implement risk assessment and risk management approach as effective way of continuously ensuring and maintaining the safety of drinking water quality in health care facilities as recommended by the World Health Organization, in order to reduce the risks associated with inadequate water supply and protect health of patients and staff. Realization of activities on the improvement requires a multidisciplinary approach and good inter-sectoral cooperation at all levels local, national and global.