“He asked You for life, and You gave it to him— length of days”
[Sep.03.2022] About half of the world’s medical facilities are not properly equipped with basic sanitary facilities such as hands washings, the survey revealed.
The World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) made the remarks in a report jointly published on the 30th (local time). The report included the results of a survey on the hygiene of medical facilities in 40 countries, which account for 35% of the world’s population.
The WHO believes that the facilities must provide medical staff where they can wash their hands in the treatment space and that water and soap are available to be used in toilets in the facility to meet basic hygiene requirements.
According to the report, 68% of the medical facilities surveyed had hand washing facilities at the treatment site and 65% of the facilities were equipped with water and soap in the bathroom, but only 51% of the medical facilities met both conditions.
In sub-Saharan African countries, only 37% of medical facilities had access to water and soap in toilets. Only 53 percent of medical facilities in the countries classified as the poorest countries in Asia and Africa had access to safe water.
UNICEF pointed out, “If medical staff cannot use hygiene services, it is no different from having no hospitals for patients,” adding, “Hospitals and clinics that do not have safe water and sanitary environments are potential ‘death traps’ for pregnant women and newborns.”
Considering that 670,000 newborns die of sepsis every year, hygiene management of medical facilities is the way to prevent tragedy, UNICEF stressed. The WHO added that if medical facilities are contaminated, quality hygiene management is needed as it encourages the spread of pathogens and the spread of antimicrobial resistance. (Source: Yonhap News)
He asked you for life, and you gave it to him— length of days, for ever and ever. Through the victories you gave, his glory is great; you have bestowed on him splendor and majesty. (Psalms 21:4-5)
God, at the news that only half of the medical facilities around the world have basic hygiene facilities, we pray You would help with the situation that increases the risk to patients. Pray that wealthy countries and international organizations would do something to improve the medical facilities and health safety in poor countries in Asia and Africa. We pray that You will protect the lives of the people in the underdeveloped environment and that the church will spread the gospel to them so that they can come to God and be saved to eternal life.
Prayer 24·365
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