20 percent of poorest areas in PHL no access to basic water services

Amid the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, 20 percent of the poorest areas in the Philippines have no access to basic water services, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

In a report on "Stand for Truth," an infectious disease specialist said that this wash a troubling situation given that handwashing needed to a habit amid the threat of the virus.

"Ang handwashing po, ma'am, 'yan po ang sinasabi naming first step in infection control. Sa areas where running water is not accessible, sana po may supply po sila ng hand sanitizer or alcohol," Dr. Ferdinand De Guzman said.

Additionally, three out of 10 health care facilities in the country lacked access to clean bathrooms.

The WHO said that this had an important impact on preventing infections as well as providing quality care for patients.

"Health care facilities won't be able to provide quality care to people if there is no safe water, toilet, or handwashing facility," said Dr. Gundo Weiler, WHO representative in the Philippines. — Joahna Lei Casilao/DVM, GMA News