Improve water quality in African healthcare facilities

The World Health Organization has six regional offices around the world. The African office is based in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo. It brings together 47 Member States, and also works with development partners to improve people’s health and well-being, particularly by promoting access to good quality healthcare. It therefore helps to combat the infectious and non-infectious diseases prevalent in Africa.

Grassroots WHO action

In practical terms, the office translates WHO's global initiatives into plans that have been specifically adapted to the African context. It provides technical and policy advice, helps develop norms and standards, encourages sharing knowledge and brings health partners together. In the event of a health emergency, it acts as a crisis management and support hub.

Since December 2019, Covid-19 is of course keeping the WHO particularly busy. In Africa, a continent that has already been affected in the past by other crises - notably health but also economic and political - the new virus was detected in Egypt on February 14, 2020, then in Algeria, a member of WHO Africa, on February 25, 2020.

To support Member States in their response to the pandemic, the organization is focusing on the quality of water in healthcare centres.

The issue of water in healthcare facilities

In healthcare facilities, water is a potential reservoir for a large number of germs and in particular those responsible for nosocomial infections. Water quality must therefore be closely monitored. The WHO Africa Office has therefore formed a partnership with the Veolia Foundation to provide support to ensure this major issue receives more attention.