Access to Water and the SARs-Cov-2 Pandemic: Opportunities and Threats in a PostPandemic Era for sub-Saharan Africa

Abstract

The emergence of SARs-Cov-2 has severely impacted the progress made so far on the sustainable development goals in Sub Saharan Africa. The current ineffective water and healthcare sectors in many African countries could serve as a deterrent to an impending crisis. This mini review aims to highlight the opportunities and threats to the water and healthcare sector in a post-pandemic era. Recent studies indicate that the virus has been found in water bodies including wastewater and sewage and this could serve as a potential medium for mutation of the virus. In addition, SSA has poor waste management implementation and sanitation especially within rural and densely populated areas. This coupled with a lack of adequate supply of potable water can see SSA fall back in achieving the SDGs. The struggle against climate change and recently Covid-19 will devastate the socio-economic development of many countries within the SSA region. Climate change has impacted water accessibility and quality and Covid-19 requires an adequate water supply to reduce human-to-human transmission. It will see severe stress on already existing stresses in the water and health sectors which can eventually lead to a system collapse. Urgent attention is therefore required through the design and implementation of programs aimed at building resilience to climate impacts and preparing for future pandemics.