World Congress of Environmental Health (WCEH)

23-25 August 2022

World Trade Centre, Kuala Lumpur

Emerging Issues and Challenges in Managing Water Related Diseases :

A Descriptive Review

*Kishwen Kanna Yoga Ratnam1,2 , Thaneswaran Marthammuthu3, Wan Kim Sui1

1,
Centre for Non-Communicable Diseases Research, 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: wWater-borne, wWater washed, wWater based
and wWater 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
 World Congress of Environmental Health (WCEH)
23-25 August 2022
World Trade Centre, Kuala Lumpur

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 realted diseases, issues, challenges