Islamabad: WaterAid’s most recent Health Study, “Determining the Health Cost of Inadequate Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene in Pakistan,” was released in Islamabad today, marking a crucial step toward tackling critical public health issues.
The study, led by Dr. Abid Aman Burki of Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS), sheds light on the economic burden of diseases including malaria, diarrhea, and typhoid caused by a lack of access to Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) services. Key findings point to a staggering household cost of PKR 116.13 billion, with lower-income households bearing the brunt of the load.
Esteemed guests, including Professor Dr. Meher Taj Roghani, Member of the Senate Standing Committee on National Health Services and Regulations in Pakistan, emphasized the need of addressing the link between health and WASH.
The informative panel discussion included experts such as Dr. Masood Jogezai, Technical Consultant, Ministry of National Health Services Regulations and Coordination; Itsuro Takahashi, WASH Manager, UNICEF; Dr. Shahzeb Mirza, Assistant Director, M&E, Health Department, Government of Sindh; and Dr. Abid Qaiyum Suleri, Executive Director, SDPI.
Muhammad Fazal, Head of Program Strategy and Policy at WaterAid, emphasized that recent research studies have revealed that poor WASH is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in Pakistan, necessitating collective action to ensure access to safe WASH for the better health and nutrition of Pakistanis.
Furqan Ahmed, Interim Country Director of WaterAid Pakistan, emphasized the importance of addressing climate change’s impact on WASH and public health, saying, “Together, let us continue our collective efforts to prioritize WASH interventions from a health perspective and work towards achieving universal access to sustainable and safe WASH services in Pakistan.”
