Saturday, May 29, 2010

Waterborne Diseases in Nepal

Safe drinking water is a basic human need. But developing countries like Nepal are suffering from health hazards due to the lack of safe drinking water supply. This has resulted in to frequent reports of faecal contamination in drinking water and outbreaks of waterborne diseases, particularly in monsoon. According to Epidemiology and Disease Control Division (EDCD)/Department of Health Services (DOHS) of the Government of Nepal, the epidemic that began in early May 2009 recorded nearly 80,000 diarrhoeal cases and claimed over 300 lives, the most affected was Jajarkot, hilly district in the Mid-west.

Government and several national and international non-governmental organizations carried rapid response programme during the crisis phase of the epidemic. Disappointingly, the outbreaks of diarrhoea and some deaths in Jajarkot, Kanchanpur, Baitadi, Dailekh, Tanahun etc. have been reported with the onset of summer 2010. Precautionary steps for mitigation and control measures through effective collaboration and coordination among WASH sector stakeholders should not be delayed.

Source: Maharjan, M. (2010)Diarrhoeal Diseases in Nepal: Risk Factors and Prevention Measures, ENPHO.