Emerging Issues and Challenges in

KEMENTERIAN KESIHATAN MALAYSIA

Institut Kesihatan Umum
Managing Water Related Diseases :
A Descriptive Review
Kishwen Kanna Yoga Ratnam1,2 , Thaneswaran Marthammuthu3, Wan Kim Sui1

1
Institute for Public Health, National Institutes of Health, Malaysia
2
Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Malaysia
3
Vector Unit, Lembah Pantai Health District Office, Kuala Lumpur
kishwen@moh.gov.my

INTRODUCTION
Access to safe water is a birthright, and not a privilege. It is the elixir life, and the sustenance of the human race.
Yet, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) estimation, 4,000 children die every day from water-borne
diseases, which is worse in developing and under-developed countries.

CHALLENGES
Water related illnesses fall into four major categories: water-borne, water washed, water based and water related
insect vector diseases. Although a significant proportion of this immense burden of disease is caused by ‘classical’
water-related pathogens, such as typhoid and cholera, newly-recognized pathogens and new strains of
established pathogens are being discovered that present important additional challenges to both the water and
public health sectors.

Developing nations are experiencing rapid expansion in economies, meaning booming industries,
commercialization and urbanization, altering the natural landscape and ecosystem. As a result, new environments
may favour the proliferation of pathogens or their vectors and bring about contact with a previously-unexposed
population. Furthermore, climate change due to anthropogenic activities such as deforestation, and rapid
industrialization has introduced a host of novel issues, many of which contribute to the increase in water related
diseases.

CONCLUSION
Water should serve as a reservoir of sustenance and
not for pathogens. Goal 6 in the United Nations
Sustainable Development Goals targets to achieve
universal and equitable access to safe and affordable
drinking water for all by the year 2030. Prevention
measures that are inclusive and deal with a problem
holistically will succeed. In order to accomplish this
mission, world leaders, governments, captains of
industry, local communities, and individual must join
forces and fulfill their roles.

Keywords:
Water related diseases, issues, challenges