It was refreshing to deliver a virtual lecture on professional water governance to learners at the International Training Centre for Authorities and Leaders in the Philippines (CIFAL Philippines), a United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) hosted by the University of the Philippines (UP). Our CEO, Dr. Boluwaji Onabolu, delivered a lecture on ‘addressing the challenges and highlighting the opportunities to bridge the public health gap with the promotion of WASH’.
Using peer-reviewed research, the presentation underlined how inadequate WASH impairs cognitive development, which affects not only the present generation but also future generations by lowering the standard of the workforce in those countries with inadequate WASH access. Given that three-quarters of new diseases and two-thirds of human pathogens are zoonotic, she said the One Health Approach presents a significant potential. In keeping with the One Health Approach, Dr Onabolu inquired about their opinions regarding the pressing necessity of incorporating the elimination of animal faeces into national ODF standards, especially since domestic animals, such as sheep, cattle, and poultry, produce a disproportionately higher volume of faecal waste than people.
Dr Onabolu further suggested to the attendants to adopt relevant technological advances, such as machine learning and artificial intelligence, to reduce potential human error in procurement systems, reduce non-revenue water losses, or even implement early warning detection systems that improve government preparedness for natural disasters such as floods. The lecture also touched on the importance of adopting multi-sectoral strategies. Dr Onabolu gave an example of the National WASH in Healthcare Strategy for Bangladesh, a multi-sectoral project which she led. She also emphasised the importance of utilising health care funds, as this is an example of best practice to mobilise domestic resources from other sectors for WASH. The WASH sector should not take on funding for WASH in Institutions, as they can’t fund access at scale, as they are reliant on small-scale project-based donor funding.
It is essential to establish multi-sectoral platforms for coordination, practice, monitoring, and joint sector reviews. Equally important is raising the political profile of WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) as a key economic driver. This includes adopting circular economy principles and securing dedicated budgets for WASH, given that every dollar invested returns five dollars in benefits.
Integrating WASH into global and regional initiatives—such as climate change action, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) prevention, neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) reduction, infection prevention and control (IPC), veterinary programs, and nutrition efforts—provides additional opportunities to mobilize domestic resources and close public health gaps.
In conclusion, she referenced the UN General Assembly Resolution 64/292 notes, which states – access to safe and adequate water and sanitation is the human right that is a prerequisite for the realisation of all other human rights.
“I paraphrase from the Rome charter of universal human rights …the right to earn wages to live a decent life.” – Dr Boluwaji Onabolu
