A Zambian Boy, a Paper cut, and the World We Should Build
The image of a dehydrated one-year-old, his skin stretched thin over protruding ribs, is etched into my memory. This wasn't a scene from a documentary but the harsh reality I encountered during my medical studies in Zambia. The culprit? Cholera is a relentless diarrhoeal disease that steals lives with terrifying speed. This experience opened my eyes to the devastating consequences of poor water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) – a silent driver of infectious diseases like cholera that disproportionately affects low- and middle-income countries.
Antibiotic pills (amoxicillin 500 mg). Credit: Maksym Kozlenko
Globally, a staggering 2.4 billion people lack access to basic sanitation facilities. This lack of a basic human right creates a breeding ground for disease. In response, many turn to antibiotics as a quick fix. But this overuse and misuse fuels a growing crisis: antimicrobial resistance (AMR). AMR occurs when germs become resistant to the drugs designed to kill them, leading to prolonged illness and even death.
In 2019 alone, an estimated 4.95 million deaths were associated with bacterial AMR, with Sub-Saharan Africa bearing the brunt of this burden. AMR threatens to push us into a terrifying future where once-treatable infections become untreatable. Imagine a world where a paper cut could turn deadly or where life-saving surgeries like cesarean sections become too risky due to the threat of untreatable infections.
Research has shown the link between poor sanitation and antibiotic overuse. People in unsanitary conditions often resort to antibiotics to prevent or treat infections they've contracted. A study in BMJ Global Health aptly states that the " lack of hygiene emerges from the inequitable distribution of what is needed to be hygienic."
AMR thrives on inequity, disproportionately impacting those with lower socio-economic status in the global south who lack WASH facilities. These individuals often face prolonged illness and crippling financial burdens due to the high cost of extended hospital stays. AMR not only exposes existing inequalities but also exacerbates them.
Even worse, AMR's reach, like COVID-19, transcends borders. This is why addressing the root cause – poor WASH – is crucial. The World Health Organization's action plan highlights the importance of reducing infections through effective sanitation, hygiene, and infection prevention measures. Imagine a Zambia where children play near clean water sources, communities practice good hygiene, and knowledge empowers them to stay healthy.
This vision requires immediate action. We must demand that governments prioritize WASH investments in clean drinking water sources and proper sanitation facilities. Let's emphasize the economic benefits of a healthy population contributing to national productivity. Additionally, we can garner support for WASH initiatives by showcasing tangible results like improved public health outcomes. Furthermore, we can endorse initiatives lobbying with our leaders to prioritize WASH, such as the African Youth Position paper for the 2024 United Nations High-Level Meeting on AMR.
However, building facilities alone isn't enough. Educating communities about good hygiene practices, such as proper handwashing, is equally important. Resources are readily available to assist in these efforts. Remember, education without infrastructure will yield limited progress.
Together, we can rewrite the narrative. We can build a world where paper cuts don't become death sentences, and access to WASH facilities is a right, not a privilege. Let's ensure every child, like the one I encountered, has the chance to grow up healthy and strong. The power to achieve this lies within us. We must act now.
