Drinking Water in Most of the Hospitals is Unfit for Human
Consumption
April 7,
2006
Drinking water available in most
of the hospitals is not fit for human consumption in Pakistan. This further
deteriorates the condition as 20 to 40 percent of hospital admissions are due
to water born diseases. The patients admitted in hospitals come with the hope
that their ailments would be treated properly, but the non-availability of
safe drinking water even in hospitals make the task even more difficult. This
was the consensus among doctors and participants of the round table discussion
on “Drinking Water Facilities in Hospitals”. The discussion was organized by
Consumer Rights Commission of Pakistan (CRCP) to commemorate World Health Day
under the Campaign for Safe Drinking Water. World Health Day is observed every
year globally on April 7, and this year the theme was “ Working Together for
Health.
Dr. Noman from CRCP, while setting the context of the discussion, highlighted
major issues related to drinking water facilities in hospitals. A survey
conducted by CRCP shows that drinking water available in Rawalpindi and
Islamabad is mostly unfit for human consumption. The water sources of major
hospitals are tube wells or municipal supply which are as contaminated as the
water of other localities. He pointed out access, availability, pollution,
irresponsible consumption, mixing of sewerage with water supply, interrupted
water supply, and lack of tap water quality standards as some of major issues
in provision of safe drinking water to all citizens. Hospitals are supplied
with municipal water which is as contaminated as other water sources. On the
other hand, the ground water is mostly unfit for human consumption, including
those in hospitals. Therefore, the incidences of water born diseases in
hospitals are on the rise, to which the staff of hospitals is more vulnerable
and exposed.
Dr. Shahzad, Deputy Superintendent, Social Security Hospital (SSH) Islamabad
gave a presentation on achievements of the hospital administration for
providing safe drinking water to the patients and staff. He also introduced
the services and benefits provided to the patients by the SSH. He mentioned
that the hospital has indigenous water supply system and water filters have
been installed at all the drinking water outlets in OPD as well as in patients
departments and operation theaters.
Dr. Attaullah Khan, Orthopedic Surgeon of Social Security Hospital Islamabad,
highlighted the impact of infectious water on human health. He stressed on the
installation of water treatment plants in all hospitals and judicious use of
water in hospitals.
Dr. Alam Shah, Professor of Medicine, Islamabad Medical and Dental College,
said that incidence of liver diseases in Rawalpindi is on rise due to
contaminated water. He warned that if proper care was not taken, this might
cause the outbreak of major communicable diseases like cholera, hepatitis,
gastroenteritis, diarrhea etc.
Dr. Khawar, Associate Professor of Medicine, Islamabad Medical and Dental
College said that about 75 percent population of Pakistan has no access to
safe drinking water, which cause heavy economic loss due to the high cost of
treatment of water born diseases. He stated that most of the bottled water
available in market is also contaminated and unfit for human consumption. He
quoted the survey done by Pakistan Council of Research on Water Resources (PCRWR)
in 2005 in which 21 out of 22 samples of bottled water brands were found
contaminated.
Dr. Imran Hashmi, Assistant Professor, Institute of Environmental Sciences and
Engineering, National University of Science and Technology (NUST), stressed on
meeting of WHO guidelines on drinking water facilities. He said that model
hospitals should have the facility of regular testing of quality of water
standards of overhead and underground water reservoirs. He pointed out that
NUST is working with the government for provision of safe drinking water at
local level through installation of purification plants. He also stressed on
the joint and collaborative efforts, and development of some sorts of strategy
for general awareness.
Dr. Ijaz Suhail, Deputy Medical Superintendent, District Head Quarter Hospital
Rawalpindi, stressed on the development of indigenous drinking water resources
by the hospitals to reduce dependency on municipal water supply. Water from
other sources like tanks and pipes has more chances of contamination, he
pointed out.
Dr. Arshad Ali Khan, Deputy District Officer Health, pointed out that in most
of Basic Health Units (BHUs) and Rural Health Centers (RHCs), water is either
not available, or if available, unfit for human consumption. Water is the main
issue in rural health centers and should be resolved on priority basis.
Mr. Aftab Chohan, Tehsil Officer Potohar Town Rawalpindi, stressed on the
judicious use of water. He highlighted the achievements made by the town
administration in provision of safe drinking water and installation of
filtration plants in 33 localities.
In the concluding session, the participants were of the opinion that water is
one of the most important requirements for life and the government should take
steps to provide safe drinking water to all citizens. Therefore the hospitals
should be given priority due to the sensitiveness and exposure of the hospital
staff directly to different water born communicable diseases. Therefore,
filtration plants should be established in all hospitals.