THE MAJORITY of man-made environmental problems that impede healthy development in children are reversible, and diseases associated with poor water supply, sanitation and hygiene can be prevented.
This can be achieved through concerted actions by the government, the private sector, foundations, schools and the community as a whole.
This was stated on Monday by Pan American Health Organisation/World Health Organisation (PAHO/WHO) representative in Jamaica, Dr. Manuel Pena, at the launch of the Water and Sanitation Hygiene (WASH) campaign, held at the Women's Resource and Outreach Centre (WROC) on Beechwood Avenue in Kingston.
Dr. Pena pointed out that millions of children throughout the Americas suffered from many diseases that were associated with unsafe drinking water, inadequate sanitation, air pollution, deficient food hygiene, poor housing and inadequate waste disposal.
HEALTHY HOMES
"We believe that by promoting healthy homes, healthy schools and healthy communities, we can change the future and make a real difference in the lives of billions of children," Dr. Pena said, noting that many children faced health risks from dangerous chemicals, toxic waste, tobacco smoking, and other environmental hazards. Children, he said, were more vulnerable to these hazards because their immune systems were still developing.
"An environment without adequate drinking water, safe food or sanitation is a breeding ground for worms, germs and disease carrying insects that transmit dengue, malaria, and other diseases," he pointed out, adding that in many countries, children were part of the work force and were exposed to the same environmental risks in the workplace as adults.
Many of these environmental threats to children's health were aggravated by poverty, domestic conflicts, natural and man-made disasters, wars and social inequity, the PAHO representative said.
"PAHO's message is that millions of lives can be saved and the quality of life improved, by making decisions at all levels, promoting healthy environments and providing clean water, and creating safe spaces free from pollution. By working together, governments, civil society, private sector, the United Nations family, foundations, academia, children and their families can make a difference," Dr. Pena added.
WORLD HEALTH DAY
The launch also marked World Health Day celebrations under the theme: "Shape The Future of Life, Healthy Environments For Children". Students from several schools in the surrounding communities participated in the day's activities.
The WASH campaign is an effort by the international Water Supply and Sanitation Collaborative Council (WSSCC) to mobilise political support and action around the world, to ensure the basic human right to sanitation and proper hygiene. The Council aims to promote partnerships between public and private sectors, and the provision of more affordable and equitable services, with emphasis on the poor, particularly women and children.
A recent World Health Organisation/United Nations Children's Fund report revealed that preventable diseases such as diarrhoea and malaria are among the main causes of deaths, especially of those less than three years old, as a result of impoverished conditions of some 600 million children worldwide. Some 1.1 billion persons worldwide are without access to a safe water supply and more than 2.4 billion without adequate sanitation.
The WASH local campaign is a collaborative effort of PAHO, UNICEF, the WROC, the CCPG, and the Ministries of Health; Education, Youth and Culture; and Water and Housing.
