Published on 08/10/2024
The Ministry of Health reports that Uganda loses over UGX 4 trillion annually due to inadequate Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) facilities.
This significant financial burden affects both communities and the state. Proper investment in WASH infrastructure could drastically reduce these losses, improving public health and economic stability. The Ministry urges immediate action to address this critical issue.
The revelation was made by Dr. Herbert Nabaasa, Commissioner for Health Services in Environmental Health, during a recent meeting between the Parliamentary Forum on Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) and Speaker Anita Among.
“The study we conducted shows that Uganda loses UGX 4 trillion every year due to inadequate access to WASH facilities, including clean water, sanitation, and hygiene. Communities struggle to manage their health, leading to heavy spending on disease treatment and health infrastructure,” said Dr. Nabaasa.
He further emphasized the broader health consequences of insufficient WASH facilities. “We are losing about 20,000 children under five each year due to diarrheal diseases, and malaria is exacerbated by poor WASH practices, with 33 children dying daily. The cost is enormous, both in human lives and in financial terms.”
Ismael Mulindwa, Director of Basic and Secondary Education at the Ministry of Education, highlighted the dire state of WASH facilities in schools. He noted that 43% of schools in Uganda lack access to clean water, and the pupil-to-latrine ratio stands at a staggering 1:71.
“It’s heartbreaking that 71 learners have to share a single toilet. This overcrowding leads to the spread of diseases, and with only 53% of schools having access to safe drinking water, the health risks are alarming,” Mulindwa said.
In response, Speaker Among criticized the Ministry of Education for failing to take stronger action, such as closing schools without proper sanitation and water facilities. “We cannot continue to lament. If a school lacks safe drinking water, close it. If the toilet facilities are insufficient, take action. We must prioritize the lives of our children,” she urged.
Silas Aogon, MP for Kumi Municipality, pointed out that Uganda needs nine times its current budget allocation for the water sector to close the WASH gap. He also questioned why essential sanitation equipment, like waste disposal vehicles, faces high taxation. “We need to triple the WASH budget to make real progress,” Aogon stressed.
Dr. Nabaasa added that 70% of the patients seeking healthcare in Uganda’s hospitals are there for preventable diseases related to poor WASH practices. “Hospital-acquired infections are on the rise because of inadequate waste management. Syringes and gauze are often improperly disposed of, creating serious health hazards,” he said.
He further explained that while the cost of inaction on WASH is substantial, the return on investment is high. “We are grappling with a preventable disease burden. For every 100 people in the hospital, 75 shouldn’t even be there. It’s crucial that we prioritize WASH at the national level, especially in light of Uganda becoming a hotspot for disease outbreaks, including Ebola, COVID-19, Monkeypox and cholera,” Dr. Nabaasa warned.
Speaker Among, reflecting on her experience as the owner of a hospital in Bukedea, emphasized the importance of hygiene in healthcare facilities. “My hospital is an example of what proper hygiene can achieve. You can walk in and eat in the middle of the facility without that hospital smell. Good hygiene should be the standard across Uganda’s health facilities,” she concluded.
