Here is why counties should aim for access to safe, adequate sanitation

Despite the strides in toilet technology, 60 per cent of the world population, 4.5 billion people, live without a household toilet. FILE PHOTO

What you need to know:

  • The invention of the flush toilet has contributed to economic growth for many developed countries.
  • To put the benefits into context, improved sanitation could prevent an estimated 842,000 deaths each year globally.

What level of technology does your toilet have? Does it flush automatically when you walk away? Do you gently glide your palm over the flush button? Or is it a Toto?

Well, in Japan Toto is not synonymous with a child but with the most technologically advanced toilet.

This daily banal object is contributing to economic development in Japan through one of the most unexpected avenues, tourism.

The high-tech toilets are part of the country’s strategy to promote tourism as they prepare to host the 2020 Olympics.

DISEASES

Imagine walking into a toilet that greets you, the comfort of heated seats, bidet jets, odour neutralisers and even noise-masking melodies.

This is the epitome of clean technology.

The invention of the flush toilet has contributed to economic growth for many developed countries.

With improved sanitation and hygiene, a significantly less number of the population suffer from diarrhoeal diseases, intestinal worms, schistosomiasis and trachoma, just to name a few.

Consequently, quite a substantial amount of money is saved on health care costs.

HEALTH

This is not just to the patient’s benefit but also for the country that no longer needs to set aside funds in its annual budget for treatment and medication towards these diseases.

These funds which would have been allocated for this purpose are probably spent elsewhere on more dire issues such as cancer research.

Bearing in mind poor sanitation for a small number of households can cause exposures for whole communities, the health gains are even greater when entire communities use improved sanitation facilities.

To put the benefits into context, improved sanitation could prevent an estimated 842,000 deaths each year globally.

PRODUCTIVITY

Implicitly, for those who are part of the working population, adequate sanitation negates the decrease in work days as they recuperate from the illnesses.

This expressly ensures they are consistently working and continuously contributing to their countries economic growth.

Despite the strides in toilet technology, 60 per cent of the world population, 4.5 billion people, live without a household toilet, or where there is one, it does not safely disposes of their waste.

Even more shocking, 862 million people around the world still relieve themselves in the open.

COSTS

Developing countries is where people relieving themselves in public is mostly widespread.

Consequently, they have the highest number of deaths of children aged less than five years, highest levels of malnutrition, poverty, and big disparities of wealth.

If sanitation was prioritised and improvements were made, combined with safe water and good hygiene, the 842,000 deaths could be prevented each year.

Taking costs into consideration, poor water and sanitation account for $260 billion (Sh26tn) a year in developing countries.

This figure is almost four times the gross domestic product (GDP) of Kenya.

INVESTMENT

Developing countries would also save 1.5 per cent of their GDP, through improved sanitation, which equates to $1.06 billion for Kenya.

How many school buildings could be renovated or houses electrified using this ample amount of money saved?

Even better, with every $1.00 invested in sanitation, we could get a $5.50 return.

The greater benefits would be keeping people healthy, reduced health costs, while the working class remains productive.

It is an economic no brainer that having access to a safe toilet is a minute investment with far reaching financial benefits.

WASTE MANAGEMENT
For us, having countrywide access to Toto may not be achievable just yet, but we can most certainly aim for access to safe, hygienic and adequate sanitation.

In doing so, we will be working towards achieving the sustainable development goal of ensuring clean access to water and sanitation for all.

This is not a problem that only Kenya and developing countries are grappling with.

Even developed countries with adequate sanitation and disposal, treatment of wastewater can be far from perfect, often ending up in rivers and coastlines that cannot be safely fished in or enjoyed.

TOILET DAY

Globally, 80 per cent of wastewater resulting from human activities is discharged into rivers or seas without any pollution removal.

Not only does the sanitation need to be efficient, the subsequent disposal must be safe with absolutely no human contact further down the line.

As we mark World Toilet day on Sunday, county governors should ask themselves, “Do my people have access to safe hygienic sanitation systems?”

The writer works with international businesses on commercial litigation. [email protected]