BBC Strictly Come Dancing star Ellie Simmonds has helped to launch a new charity appeal centred on a global hygiene crisis in healthcare centres. WaterAid campaign Water Means Life aims to bring life-changing access to clean water, sanitation and hygiene facilities to healthcare centres in Mozambique and across the world.
One in four healthcare centres globally currently have no clean water on site and almost half have no basic handwashing facilities, according to WaterAid. Recently retired Paralympian swimmer Ellie visited Uganda with the charity, where she saw the life changing difference clean water - "a basic human need" - has on communities.
She released a heartfelt statement in support of the appeal, which launched on November 15, reports Birmingham Live. Ellie said: "It is unthinkable that nearly half the global population, or 3.85 billion people, have to use or work in a healthcare centre without basic hygiene facilities.
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"People are dying when they are seeking or delivering care simply because they do not have access to clean water to wash their hands. We are lucky to feel safe in our healthcare system, knowing, at the very least that we will be treated in hygienic surroundings with access to clean water to drink and wash with, and decent toilets."
She added: "It's important we come together to make sure these basic, vital, facilities reach healthcare facilities, saving the lives of both patients and healthcare workers." WaterAid's appeal aims to raise £2.5million by February 2023.
A WaterAid spokesperson said: "Patients are dying needlessly; nurses and doctors are at risk and there is a higher threat of future pandemics." They added: "Currently infections associated with unclean births account for 26 per cent of new born deaths and 11 per cent of maternal mortality each year - together accounting for more than one million deaths annually."
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