Concept Note: WASH and Health Synergies to End Polio and Water-Borne Diseases including NTDs and Cholera
Over the past two decades, the WHO African Region has made major public health gains, including certification as free of wild poliovirus in 2020, yet outbreaks of circulating variant poliovirus, cholera, and water-borne NTDs continue to threaten progress. Cholera remains especially deadly, with Africa accounting for a disproportionate share of global deaths and rising case-fatality rates across more countries. Persistent transmission is driven by limited access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene, alongside fragile health systems and siloed interventions. Despite investments, WASH, immunization, and disease control efforts are often implemented separately, reducing impact. Integrating WASH with routine health services, outbreak response, and community platforms is critical to sustainably reduce disease transmission and advance eradication and elimination goals.
