AIDS Crisis Exacerbated By Lack Of Water

The AIDS crisis in Africa is complicated by a major factor: water.

"There is one crucial element missing from life in sub-Saharan Africa that disproportionally affects the health and wellbeing of the 25 million people there living with HIV. That element is water. Clean water is critical to keeping them healthy, for taking antiretroviral drugs and for good hygiene to minimize infections – ideally, as much as 100 liters a day," The Guardian recently reported in a commentary by a group of activists.

The recent study from activists including the WaterAid and SAfAIDS charities, explains why water is essential.

"Access to clean water is essential for HIV-positive patients who receive antiretroviral (ARV) drugs, because they need 1.5 liters of water per day just to absorb the medicine, said the report Diarrhea, a disease related to contaminated water that affects 90 percent of people living with HIV in southern Africa, also compromises the effectiveness of ARV drugs," Reuters reported.

Water is crucial to the proper treatment of the malady.

"Doctors and nurses cannot properly contain infections if hospitals and clinics do not have clean running water, functioning toilets and good hygiene practices," the Guardian commentary said. "Without safe water and sanitation, we undermine all other efforts at infection prevention, control and treatment."

Water has not been enough of a centerpiece in AIDS treatment, according to the activism groups.

“There has not … been a focus on making sure people living with HIV/AIDS also have clean water, basic toilets and the means to wash themselves and keep their surroundings clean,” Barbara Frost, WaterAid chief executive, said, per Reuters.

Over of third of the people in sub-Saharan Africa do not have access to clean water, and over two-thirds lack access to basic sanitation, according to reports.

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