I. INTRODUCTION:

The World Health Organization (WHO) had been working for building a better, healthier future for people all over the world. It has been working with its 194 Member States across six grouped regions such as Africa, Americas, South–East Asia, Europe, Eastern Mediterranean and Western Pacific. Moreover, each region has a regional office there. The WHO has more than 150 offices and its staff are united in a shared commitment to achieve better health for everyone and everywhere in the world.

It has been striving together to combat diseases such as communicable diseases like influenza as well as HIV and non communicable diseases like cancer and heart disease. It is use to help mothers as well as children survive and thrive so they can look forward to a healthy old age. It has been ensuring the safety of air people breathe, the food they eat, the water they drink , the medicines and vaccines they need around the world (https://www.who.int/about, accessed on 22-08-2020).

The WHO’s text of the constitution was adopted and signed by the representatives of 61 states on 22^nd July 1946 and it entered into force on 7^th April 1948 (Burci Luca Gian and Henri Vignes Claude (2004), p.18).So, the WHO has began functioning from this date, month and year onwards and this is a date we now celebrate every year as World Health Day. The presently, it has more than 7000 people working in 150 country offices in six regional offices and at its headquarters of Geneva in Switzerland country. It has also a Director-General (https://www.who.int/about, accessed on 22-08-2020).

The WHO is one of the most important United Nations agencies(https://books.google.co.in/books/about/World_Health_and_World_Politics.html?id=v0nUYcj7jnICandredir_esc=y, accessed on 30-09-2020). Its primary role is to direct and coordinate international health within an United Nations system. Its main areas of work are health systems, health through the life course, non communicable and communicable diseases, preparedness, surveillance as well as response and corporate services. It says that through working together, they attain the health objectives by supporting national health policies and strategies(https://www.who.int/about, accessed on 22-08-2020).

The WHO’s World Health Assembly is attended by delegations from all its Member States and determines the policies of this Organization. An Executive Board (EB) is composed of 34 members of technically qualified in health and gives effect to the decisions as well as policies of the Health Assembly. They elected for the three years term. India country is the present chair of this EB. Moreover, the Government of India’s Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare Dr. Harsh Vardhan has elected as Chair of this EB on 22-5-2020. This minister has stated that “WHO believes in the principle that the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health is one of the fundamental rights of every human being without distinction of race, religion, political belief, economic or social condition. We, therefore commit to work with the Member States; the Organization and the global community of partners for the efficient, effective and responsive discharge of public health obligations” (https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1626111, accessed on 8-9-2020). An EB’s core function is to direct and coordinate international health work through collaboration. The WHO partners with countries, an United Nations system, international organisations, civil society, foundations, academia, and research institutions. The general programme of work sets the framework for the financial resources and expenditures of WHO every five years. Its programme budget portal is updated every quarter and provides a breakdown of its work by categories, programmes and outputs (https://www.who.int/about, accessed on 22-08-2020).

An USA country has halted funding to the WHO in mid April 2020. Moreover, The former President of USA, mr. Donald Trump administration has formally notified an United Nations of its decision to withdraw its country from the WHO, which has resulted the breaking off ties with the global health body amidst the raging coronavirus pandemic. This withdrawal of USA from the WHO will be effective from on 6^th July 2021.

The main reason was that USA has accused the WHO of siding with China on an outbreak of the virus, which resulting in deaths of many people globally, including more people in America alone. Moreover, the China has total control over the WHO said by its president Trump. In fact, USA is the single largest contributor to the WHO, providing over USD 450million per annum. The China's contribution to the global health body is about USD 40million, one tenth of that of US (https://economictimes.indiatimes.com, July 8, 2020). This was a huge loss for the WHO. Despite this, the WHO has been still very active for containment of the coronavirus disease. However, the newly elected USA President mr. Joe Biden on Wednesday(20-1-2021) has signed an executive order for halting his country’s exit from the World Health Organization (WHO). Moreover, in a letter to the UN Secretary-General mr.Antonio Guterres, mr.Biden had said that the US intended to remain a member of the international public health body, the White House said late Wednesday (https://www.dw.com/en/biden-halts-us-departure-from-world-health-organization/a-56296867., accessed on 8-3-2021). This is a good thing for the WHO in order to receive the funds from USA to work efficiently for the health purpose of its member states population.

II. The Corona virus Disease:

The coronaviruses are a large family of viruses which cause illness in animals or humans. In humans, several coronaviruses are known to cause respiratory infections ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). The most recently discovered coronavirus causes Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19). Moreover, the COVID-19 is an infectious disease caused by the most recently discovered corona virus. This new virus and disease were unknown before an outbreak began at Wuhan city in China country in December 2019. The COVID-19 is now a pandemic affecting many countries globally (https://www.who.int, accessed on 22-08-2020). An epidemic picture of this reveals that cases used to be found in the people who had the travel history from one country to another country and because of intense local community transmission of this virus disease. In the beginning many countries in the world have implemented stringent periods of lockdowns inside their respective countries and on their respective international borders in order to prevent the spread of this COVID-19. In fact, India had implemented the 4 nation wide lockdowns from 25^th March 2020 to 31^st May 2020 and after that 4 nation wide unlock downs from 1^st June 2020 to 30^th September 2020 so far for this purpose.(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/COVID-19_ pandemic _ lockdown_in_India, accessed on 5-09-2020).

However, most people who have infected with the COVID-19 virus will experience mild to moderate respiratory illness and recover without requiring special treatment. But older people and those with underlying medical problems like cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease and cancer are more likely to develop serious illness. According to the WHO, the best way to prevent and slow down transmission is be well informed about the COVID-19 virus, the disease it causes and how it spreads. The methods to follow in order to avoid this are to protect yourself and others from infection by washing your hands or using an alcohol based rub frequently and not touching your face (https://www.who.int/health-topics/coronavirus#tab=tab_1, accessed on 22-08-2020).

The COVID-19 virus spreads primarily through droplets of saliva or discharge from the nose when an infected person coughs or sneezes, so it’s important that you also practice respiratory etiquette (for example, by coughing into a flexed elbow).At this time, there are no specific officially recognized vaccines or treatments for COVID-19. However, there are many ongoing clinical trials evaluating potential treatments(https://www.who.int/health-topics/coronavirus#tab=tab_1, accessed on 22-08-2020).

The main routes of transmission of SARS-CoV-2 are respiratory droplets and direct contact. Any person who is in close contact with an infected individual is at risk of being exposed to potentially infective respiratory droplets. The droplets may also land on surfaces where the virus could remain viable. Thus, an immediate environment of an infected individual can serve as a source of transmission (WHO and UNICEF(2020),P.1).

As per the WHO data, The numbers at a glance revealed that globally as of 29^th September 2020, 05:30 GMT+5:30, there were 3,32,49,563 confirmed cases of COVID-19 . The confirmed deaths were 10,00040 and this virus has affected 235 countries, areas or territories with cases (https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIk6q7pLiQ7AIV2ARyCh3-CwUkEAAYASAAEgLo-PD_BwE, accessed on 30-09-2020).This pandemic has been going on in the world. In August 2020 , as per the country wise confirmed cases are concerned ,after United States of America(USA) and Brazil ,India is having the third place in terms of the total number of COVID-19 confirmed cases in the world. (https://covid19.who.int/.,accessed on 22-08-2020). However, India overtook the Brazil to became the country with the second highest number of COVID-19 confirmed cases(41,04,497) in the world (The Hindu news paper, dated on 6-9-2020).As of 29^th September 2020, the number of India’s total COVID-19 confirmed cases were 62,21,195 and the toll were 97,516(The Hindu news paper, dated on 30-09-2020).

As per the WHO’s data reveals that Globally, as of 2:03pm CET, 7 March 2021, there had been 11, 61, 35, 492 confirmed cases of COVID-19, including 25, 81, 976 deaths had reported to WHO. As of 8^th March 2021, a total of 24, 91, 60, 837 vaccine doses have been administered(https://covid19.who.int/.,accessed on 8-3-2021). The WHO’s data table (WHO Coronavirus (COVID-19) Dashboard: Situation by Country, Territory and Area) reveals that the newly reported Covid-19 confirmed cases in the last 24 hours in USA were 1,33,475 and in India were 18,711 cases. While deaths in the last 24 hours in USA were 4,062 and in India were100 deaths. As far as the transmission classification is concerned, community transmission is there in USA and where as clusters of cases is there in India (https://covid19.who.int/table.,accessed on 8-3-2021) .

However, globally as of 2:44pm CET ,10 March 2021, there had been 11,73,32,262 confirmed cases of COVID-19, including 2,605,356 deaths were reported to WHO. As of 8 March 2021, a total of 26,82,05,245 vaccine doses have been administered (https://covid19.who.int/.,accessed on 11-3-2021). Except some countries, where, no new cases and no deaths are there. But majority of the countries are still having the COVID-19 existence in terms of new confirmed cases and deaths. The knowing data regarding number of fresh positive confirmed COVID-19 cases have been happening in a country depends upon its sample size testing in a day. The COVID-19 is regarded as a pandemic and is still regarded as pandemic because the world wide total number of confirmed cases and deaths have been still happening and there is a need for containment of this disease.

This article aim was to solve the specific problem of complete containment and eradication of COVID-19 through the WHO’s responsive policies. For this purpose, this paper has investigated through use of an analogy regarding the brief history of world medicine production as well as WHO’s global vaccine action plan and more importantly WHO’s guidelines and other policies for the containment in order to complete eradication of the COVID-19 pandemic in the world.

III. History of World medicine production:

The second (2004) review of the world medicines situation (first published in 1988 as The World Drug Situation) presents an available evidence on global production, research and development, international trade and consumption of pharmaceuticals. In addition, it draws on the most recent surveys and studies in WHO member states to examine the state of national medicines policy. The main aim was to provide an easily accessible source of information on the pharmaceutical situation at global and national levels (World Health Organization(2004), p.1).

The trends from 1985 to 1999 indicated that the value of medicine production has grown four times more rapidly than the world’s income. The medicine production is highly concentrated in industrialized countries, where just five countries such as USA, Japan, Germany, France and UK account for two-thirds of the value of all medicines produced. The large volume markets of lower-price medicines exist in the highly competitive domestic markets of China and India (World Health Organization (2004), p.3). Moreover, the large pharmaceutical markets are there these two world’s most populous countries (World Health Organization (2004), p.1). India has expanded its export share of medicines during the period between 1980 and 1999. Where as China’s exports are mainly to industrialized countries. Imports by low and middle income countries come mainly from industrialized countries. An USA and Japan, who are the world’s two biggest producers were also the biggest net importers in 1999 (World Health Organization (2004), p.21).

The Knowledge about the causes and treatment of illness expanded rapidly during the last century and research into new medicines played an important part in this growth. At the beginning of the twentieth century, aspirin was the only widely available modern medicine. In the 1940s, the first antibiotic, the first mass-produced antimalarial and the first anti tubercular medicine were introduced. In the 1950s and 1960s, oral contraceptives were introduced, as well as medicines for diabetes, mental illness, many infectious diseases, cardiovascular disease and cancer. By the 1970s effective medicines though not always ideal existed for nearly every major illness we know. This progress continued throughout the 1980s and 1990s with the development of new drugs against HIV/AIDS (World Health Organization (2004), p.11). The governments and pharmaceutical manufacturers are the main funders of the R&D of new medicines and other health products. An Investment in health Research and Development(R&D) is concentrated in the industrialized economies. In the second half of the 20th century, rapid progress was made in developing powerful new medicines. More recently, new developments in molecular biology and genetics hold great promise for the discovery of new medicines. Yet the number of new molecular entities being brought to market has slowed in recent years. The manufacturers attribute the high prices of new medicines to R&D costs and the risks of new product development. However, critics query the actual cost of new medicines development and point to the neglect of disease problems affecting poor populations. The pattern of new medicines by R&D reflects market opportunities rather than global public health priorities (World Health Organization (2004), p.11).

Since the publication of The World Drug Situation in 1988, the development of medicines have undergone a major transformation moving from a chemistry based R&D process to molecular biology based processes. Advances in an analysis of DNA have opened up the possibility of understanding the genetic causes of disease (World Health Organization (2004), p.11). As a result, many new genomics based companies have emerged, recognizing the commercial potential of this knowledge for medicines development (World Health Organization (2004), p.11).

The medicines are important both to a country’s economy and to the health of its people. A national policy on medicines outlines a country’s goals and provides a framework for achieving them, setting out the roles and responsibilities of the main actors in both public and private sectors. The WHO’s World Medicines Situation survey of member states shows that the number of countries with a WHO’s national policy on medicines increased from only five in 1985 to 108 in 1999(World Health Organization (2004), p.53). More over, since 1990, many countries have shown their willingness to improve people’s access to essential medicines by formulating a national medicines policy, clearly setting out that particular country’s objectives (World Health Organization (2004), p.54). While recognizing that each country’s situation may require specific goals, the WHO proposes that the general objectives of medicines policy should be to ensure: 1, An equitable availability and affordability of essential medicines.2, The quality, safety and efficacy of all medicines.3, Therapeutically sound and cost-effective use of medicines by health professionals and consumers (World Health Organization (2004), p.54).

The most countries have a medicines regulatory authority and formal requirements for registering medicines. However, medicines regulatory authorities differ substantially in their human and financial resources and in their overall effectiveness. The fewer than one in six WHO member states have well developed drug regulation and two in six have no or very little drug regulatory capacity (World Health Organization (2004), p.93).

IV. The COVID-19 Medicine:

The COVID-19 is a new virus disease and there are no particular medicines available in the beginning for treating the patients because of this disease. But there are some related medicines had been using by the countries to treat their respective novel corona virus effected people. Because of this, overall recovery rate is good compared to tolls. However, in India, which supplies more than a quarter of the world's generic drugs, from the month of March 2020 restricted its exports of 26 pharmaceutical ingredients and the medicines made from them to other countries. The move was seen as an attempt to secure supplies for its domestic population after COVID-19 outbreak played havoc with industry's supply chain globally.

An United States' Health and Human Services has listed hydroxychloroquine as a medical resource that was subject to hoarding prevention measures of COVID-19(https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/, April 01,2020). This anti malarial drug is available in India. As a result, USA president Donald Trump has requested India to release the supplies of hydroxychloroquine as a possible treatment for the respiratory disease of its country people. Moreover, he has threatened possible retaliation if New Delhi failed to ship this anti malarial medicine to US (https://www.aljazeera.com, 7^th April,2020). Because of this, India has shipped through exports of 50 million tablets of hydroxychloroquine to an USA country. This was happened despite USA’s regulators warned that this drug may have harmful side effects in the treatment of COVID-19. Moreover, as per India’s stand, an Indian Ministry of External Affairs has said that India was continuing to supply hydroxychloroquine and other essential medicines produced in India to other countries. These supplies were taking place both on a humanitarian and a commercial basis.
(https://economictimes.indiatimes.com, April 30,2020).

V. WHO’s Global vaccine action plan:

The Global Vaccine Action Plan (GVAP) is a framework adopted at the 65^th WHO’s World Health Assembly in 2012 to achieve the vision of the Decade of Vaccines (DoV) 2011-2020 of “a world in which all individuals and communities enjoy lives free from vaccine preventable diseases. The GVAP’s mission is to “improve health by extending by 2020 and beyond the full benefits of immunization to all people, regardless of where they are born, who they are or where they live.” (World Health Organization (2013),P.1).The GVAP has articulated five goals such as 1. Achieve a world free of poliomyelitis.2, Meet global and regional elimination targets .3,Meet vaccination coverage targets in every region, country and community. 4, Develop and introduce new and improved vaccines and technologies and 5, Exceed the Millennium Development Goal 4 target for reducing child mortality(World Health Organization (2013),P.1) and six Strategic objectives such as 1,All countries commit to immunization as a priority. 2, Individuals and communities understand the value of vaccines and demand immunization both as a right and a responsibility. 3. The benefits of immunization are equitably extended to all people. 4, Strong immunization systems are an integral part of a well-functioning health system. 5, Immunization programmes have sustainable access to predictable funding, quality supply and innovative technologies and 6, Country, regional and global research and development innovations maximize the benefits of immunization (World Health Organization (2013),P.2) to achieve this mission. The 65th World Health Assembly (WHA) in May 2012 has requested its WHO Director General to monitor progress and report annually using an accountability framework in order to guide immunization discussions and future actions. In response, the DoV partners developed a Monitoring and Evaluation/ Accountability (M&E/A) framework that identifies specific indicators to measure progress for each goal and strategic objective as well as data sources. The DoV partners also agreed to a process for an annual independent review of progress, which was presented to the 66th World Health Assembly in May 2013(World Health Organization (2013),P.1).

VI. The COVID-19 Vaccine:

The vaccination is a simple, safe, and effective way of protecting people against harmful diseases, before they come into contact with them. It uses a human body’s natural defenses to build resistance to specific infections and makes a human immune system stronger. Vaccines train a human immune system to create antibodies, just as it does when it’s exposed to a disease. However, because vaccines contain only killed or weakened forms of germs like viruses or bacteria, they do not cause the disease or put you at risk of its complications. Most vaccines are given by an injection, but some are given orally (by mouth) or sprayed into the nose(https://www.who.int/news-room/q-a-detail/vaccines-and-immunization-what-is-vaccination.,accessed on 8-3-2021).

There are now several vaccines that are in use for the COVID-19.The first mass vaccination programme started in early December 2020 and as of 15^th February 2021, 175.3 million vaccine doses had been administered. At least 7 different vaccines (3 platforms) have been administered. The WHO issued an Emergency Use Listing (EULs) for the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine (BNT162b2) on 31^st December 2020. On 15^th February 2021, WHO issued EULs for two versions of the AstraZeneca/Oxford COVID-19 vaccine, manufactured by the Serum Institute of India and SKBio. The WHO is on track to EUL other vaccine products through June(https://www.who.int/news-room/q-a-detail/coronavirus-disease-(covid-19)-vaccines.,accessed on 8-3-2021).The vaccination to the people is also very much essential for complete eradication of the COVID-19 disease.

VII: WHO’s Responsive Policies for the containment of COVID-19:

The health systems around the world are being challenged by increasing demand for care of people with COVID-19, compounded by fear, stigma, misinformation and limitations on movement that disrupt the delivery of health care for all conditions. When health systems are overwhelmed and people fail to access needed care, both direct mortality from an outbreak and indirect mortality from preventable and treatable conditions increase dramatically. The maintaining population trust in the capacity of the health system to safely meet essential needs and to control infection risk in health facilities is key to ensuring appropriate care-seeking behaviour and adherence to public health advice (World Health Organization (2020,1 June),P.2).

In an early phases of the COVID-19 outbreak, many health systems have been able to maintain routine service delivery in addition to managing a relatively limited COVID-19 case load. As demands on systems have surged and health workers themselves have increasingly been affected by COVID-19 infection and the indirect consequences of the pandemic, strategic adaptations have become urgent to ensure that limited public and private sector resources provide the maximum benefit for populations. The countries are making difficult decisions to balance the demands of responding directly to the COVID-19 pandemic with the need to maintain the delivery of other essential health services. Establishing safe and effective patient flow (including screening for COVID-19, triage and targeted referral) remains critical at all levels (World Health Organization (2020,1 June),P.2).The countries have different policies for the public health and social measures they implement to limit the transmission of COVID-19, and their approaches to easing these measures also differ (World Health Organization (2020,1 June),P.4).

The provision of safe water, sanitation and waste management and hygienic conditions are essential for preventing and for protecting human health during all infectious disease outbreaks, which including of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). An ensuring evidenced based and consistently applied wash and waste management practices in communities, homes, schools, marketplaces, and health care facilities will help prevent human to human transmission of pathogens including SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19 (WHO and UNICEF(2020),P.1).

On 1^st April 2020, in an effort to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission associated with large scale community based health interventions, the WHO has recommended that mass treatment campaigns, active case finding activities and population based surveys for Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) be postponed until further notice. This advice was reaffirmed in the guidance document entitled “Community-based health care, including outreach and campaigns, in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic”, released on 5^th May 2020(World Health Organization (2020), P.1).

The following are the major policies of the WHO for the prevention as well as containment of the COVID-19, which are applicable for the benefit of all its 194 member states in the world for eradication of COVID-19 pandemic in the world.

1. Keeping water supplies safe:

There are several measures can improve water safety. These include: protecting the source water; treating water at the point of distribution, collection or consumption; and ensuring that treated water is safely stored at home in regularly cleaned and covered containers. Such measures can be effectively planned, implemented and monitored using water safety plans. The conventional, centralized water treatment methods that utilize filtration and disinfection should significantly reduce the concentration of SARS-CoV-2 (WHO and UNICEF(2020)P.3).

The water utilities personnel should be briefed on COVID-19 preventive measures. They may wear masks according to global recommendations and depending on local government mask use policy, they may respect physical distancing between workers and with the public, and practise and hygiene frequently. In places where centralized water treatment and safe piped-water supplies are not available, a number of household water treatment technologies are effective in removing or destroying viruses. These include: boiling or using high-performing ultrafiltration or nanomembrane filters, solar irradiation and, in non-turbid waters (WHO and UNICEF(2020)P.3).

Due to the closure of public or private buildings as part of the pandemic response, many premises may experience low or no water flow over a period of weeks or months. This may result in water stagnation and an associated deterioration of water quality (e.g. survival or regrowth of microbial pathogens due to chlorine decay and leaching of harmful metals from pipework). This deterioration may present a public health risk when such premises are re-inhabited. To minimize such risks, a site-specific programme of flushing pipes should be undertaken within the premises before re occupancy. This should ensure that all stagnant water throughout the premises is replaced with safe (disinfected), fresh water from the distribution main. Before use, hot water systems should be returned to an operating temperature of 60^oC or greater and a circulation temperature exceeding 50^oC to manage microbial risks, including those from Legionella. The cold water systems should be returned to less than 25^oC and ideally below 20^oC. On site storage tanks or cooling towers may require batch-disinfection before becoming operational again. The water quality testing should be performed in advance of re-occupancy to verify that the water used within the premises meets national drinking-water quality regulations and standards and that it is safe for human consumption and other relevant uses such as showering (WHO and UNICEF(2020)P.3).

2. Safely managing wastewater and faecal sludge:

Though little evidence is available, some data suggested that transmission via faeces is possible but unlikely especially where faeces become aerosolized. Because of the potential infectious disease risks from excreta, including the potential presence of SARS-CoV-2, wastewater and sludge should be contained, and treated either on-site or conveyed off-site and treated in well-designed and managed wastewater and/or faecal sludge treatment plants. Standard treatment processes are effective for enveloped viruses, including SARS-CoV-2. An each stage of treatment combining physical, biological and chemical processes (e.g. retention time, dilution, oxidation, sunlight, elevated pH, and biological activity) results in a further reduction of the potential risk of exposure and accelerates pathogen reduction. A final disinfection step may be considered if existing treatment plants are not optimized to remove viruses(WHO and UNICEF(2020)P.2).

The sanitation services and workers are essential for operational support during the COVID-19 pandemic. An existing recommendations for protecting the health of sanitation workers should be followed. The workers should follow standard operating procedures which includes wearing appropriate PPE (protective outerwear, heavy-duty gloves, boots, medical mask, goggles and/or a face shield), minimising spills, washing dedicated tools and clothing, performing hand hygiene frequently, obtaining vaccinations for sanitation related diseases and self-monitoring for any signs of COVID-19 or other infectious disease with support of the employer. An additional precautions to prevent transmission between workers, which apply to the general population as well, include avoiding touching the eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands, sneezing into one’s sleeve or a disposal tissue, practising physical distancing while working, travelling to and from work and staying home if one develops symptoms associated with COVID-19 (e.g. fever, dry cough, fatigue) (WHO and UNICEF(2020),P.3).

3, Surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 in waste water and sludge:

The surveillance of COVID-19 in wastewater and sludge may compliment public health data and provide. For example, information on when cases may spike 5 to 7 days in advance of such spikes being detected by health facilities and health authorities. An environmental surveillance should not be used as a substitute for robust surveillance of COVID-19 cases. In addition, the primary aim of governments, utilities and investments should focus on continuity and expanding safely managed sanitation services to protect against COVID-19 and a number of other infectious diseases (WHO and UNICEF(2020), P.3).

4, Wash in health care settings:

The following standard wash related actions are particularly important to prevent SARS-CoV-2 transmission:

a) Engaging in frequent hand hygiene using appropriate techniques;

b) Implementing regular environmental cleaning and disinfection practices;

c) Managing excreta (faeces and urine) safely;

d) Safely managing health-care waste produced by COVID-19 cases and

e) Safely managing dead bodies

Apart from above, other important and recommended measures include providing sufficient and safe drinking-water to staff, caregivers and patients; ensuring that personal hygiene can be maintained, including hand hygiene for patients, staff and caregivers; regularly laundering bed linen and patients clothing; providing adequate and accessible toilets (including separate facilities for confirmed and suspected COVID-19 cases); and segregating and safely disposing of health-care waste (WHO and UNICEF(2020),P.4).

A). Hand hygiene practices:

The hand hygiene is extremely important to prevent the spread of SARS-CoV-2. All health-care facilities should have regular programmes aimed at promoting best hand hygiene practices and at ensuring the availability of the necessary infrastructure (equipment and supplies) as well as operation and maintenance protocols (WHO and UNICEF (2020), P.4).

All health care facilities should establish hand hygiene programmes, if they do not have them already, or strengthen existing ones. In addition, rapid activities to prevent the spread of SARS-CoV-2 are needed, such as procurement of adequate quantities of hand hygiene supplies; hand hygiene refresher courses and communications campaigns. Cleaning hands using an alcohol based hand rub or with water and soap should be done according to the instructions known as “My 5 moments for hand hygiene”. These are: 1,before touching a patient. 2, before clean/aseptic procedures. 3, after body fluid exposure/risk. 4, after touching a patient and 5, after touching patient surroundings. If hands are not visibly dirty, the preferred method is using an alcohol-based hand rub for 20−30 seconds using the appropriate technique. When hands are visibly dirty, they should be washed with soap and water for 40 to 60 seconds using an appropriate technique. In addition to performing hand hygiene at each of the five moments, it should be performed in the following situations such as before putting on PPE and after removing it; when changing gloves; after any contact with a patient with suspected or confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection, their waste or the environment in that patient’s immediate surroundings; after contact with respiratory secretions; before food preparation and consumption; and after using the toilet (WHO and UNICEF(2020), P.4).

The functional hand hygiene facilities should be available for all health-care workers at all points of care, in areas where PPE is put on or taken off, and where health-care waste is handled. In addition, functional hand hygiene facilities should be available for all patients, family members, caregivers and any other visitors, and should be available within 5 metres of the toilets, as well as at the entry/exit of the facility, in waiting and dining rooms and in other public areas. An effective alcohol-based hand rub product should contain between 60% and 80% of alcohol and its efficacy should be proven according to the European Norm 1500 or the standards of the ASTM International (formerly, the American Society for Testing and Materials) known as ASTM E-1174. These products can be purchased on the market, but can also be produced locally in pharmacies using the formula and instructions provided by WHO (WHO and UNICEF(2020), P.4).

B). Sanitation and plumbing:

The people with suspected or confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection should be provided with their own toilet (either a flush or dry toilet). Where this is not possible, patients sharing the same ward should have access to toilets that are not used by patients in other wards. An each toilet cubicle should have a door that closes. The flush toilets should operate properly and have functioning drain traps. The toilet should be flushed with the lid down to prevent droplet splatter and aerosol clouds. If it is not possible to provide separate toilets for COVID-19 patients, then the toilets they share with other non-COVID-19 patients should be cleaned and disinfected more regularly (e.g. at least twice daily by a trained cleaner wearing PPE impermeable gown, or if not available, an apron, heavy-duty gloves, boots, mask and googles or a face shield). The health care staff should have access to toilet facilities that are separate from those used by patients (WHO and UNICEF(2020), P.4).

The WHO recommends the use of standard, well-maintained plumbing, such as sealed bathroom drains, and backflow valves on sprayers and faucets to prevent aerosolized faecal matter from entering the plumbing or ventilation system, together with existing recognised wastewater and sludge treatment processes. The regularly flushing water through seals to ensure they are functioning is important. The faulty plumbing and a poorly designed air ventilation system were among the contributing factors for the spread of the aerosolized SARS-CoV-1 coronavirus in a high-rise apartment building in Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in 2003. If health-care facilities are connected to sewers, a risk assessment should be conducted to confirm whether wastewater is contained and does not leak from the system before it reaches a functioning treatment and disposal site. The risks related to the adequacy of the collection system or to treatment and disposal methods should be assessed following a sanitation safety planning approach (WHO and UNICEF(2020),P.4).

If health care facility toilets are not connected to sewers, hygienic on-site containment and treatment systems should be ensured such as pit latrines and septic tanks. The sludge should be safely contained and when containers are full transported for off-site treatment or treated on-site where space and soil conditions permit. For unlined pits, precautions should be taken to prevent contamination of the environment, ensuring that at least a distance of 1.5m between the bottom of the pit and the groundwater table (more space should be allowed in coarse sands, gravels and fissured formations) and that the latrine pits are located at least 30 m horizontally from any groundwater source (including both shallow wells and boreholes) (WHO and UNICEF(2020),P.5).

There is no reason to empty latrine pits and holding tanks of excreta from suspected or confirmed COVID-19 cases unless they are at capacity. In general, the best practices for the safe management of excreta should be followed. The Pit latrines or holding tanks should be designed to meet patient demand, considering potential sudden increases in cases, and there should be a regular schedule for emptying them, based on the excreta and wastewater volumes generated . Untreated faecal sludge and wastewater from health facilities should never be released on land used for food production, aquaculture or disposed of in recreational waters (WHO and UNICEF(2020),P.5).

C), Toilets and the handling of faeces:

It is critical to perform hand hygiene, when there is suspected or known contact with faeces. If the patient is unable to use a toilet, excreta should be collected in either a diaper or a clean bedpan and immediately disposed of carefully into a separate toilet or pit latrine used only by suspected or confirmed COVID-19 cases. In all health-care settings, including those with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 cases, faeces must be treated as a biohazard. After disposing of excreta, bedpans should be cleaned with a neutral detergent and water, disinfected with a 0.5% chlorine solution, and then rinsed with clean water. The rinse water should be disposed of in a drain or toilet. Other effective disinfectants include commercially available quaternary ammonium compounds and peracetic or peroxyacetic acid. The chlorine is not effective for disinfecting matter containing large amounts of solid and dissolved organic matter. Therefore, it is neither not useful nor recommended to add chlorine solution to fresh excreta and, possibly, such addition can introduce risks associated with splashing (WHO and UNICEF(2020),P.5).

D). Safe management of health care waste:

The best practices for safely managing health-care waste should be followed, including assigning responsibility and sufficient human and material resources to segregate, recycle and dispose of waste safely. Infectious waste produced during patient care, including those with confirmed COVID-19 infection (e.g. sharps, bandages, pathological waste) and should be collected safely in clearly marked lined containers and sharp boxes. This waste should be treated, preferably on-site, and then safely disposed (WHO and UNICEF(2020),P.5). The waste generated in waiting areas of health-care facilities can be classified as non-hazardous and should be disposed in strong black bags and closed completely before collection and disposal by municipal waste services. If such municipal waste services are not available, as interim measure, safely burying or controlled burning may be done until more sustainable and environmentally friendly measures can be put in place. All those who handle health-care waste should wear appropriate PPE (long-sleeved gown, heavy-duty gloves, boots, mask, and goggles or a face shield) and perform hand hygiene after removing it(WHO and UNICEF(2020),P.5). The countries should work to establish sustainable waste management chains, including addressing logistics, recycling, treatment technologies and policies (WHO and UNICEF(2020),P.6).

E). Environmental cleaning and laundry:

The linen should be laundered and areas where the COVID-19 patients receive care should be cleaned and disinfected frequently (at least twice daily, but more frequently for high touch surfaces such as light switches, bed rails, tables and mobile carts). The many disinfectants are active against enveloped viruses such as SARS-CoV-2, including commonly used hospital disinfectants. Currently the WHO recommends using (A), 70% ethyl alcohol to disinfect small surface areas and equipment between uses such as reusable dedicated equipment (for example, thermometers) and (B), Sodium hypochlorite at 0.1% (1000 ppm) for disinfecting surfaces and 0.5% (5000 ppm) for disinfection of blood or bodily fluids spills in health care facilities(WHO and UNICEF(2020),P.6).

All individuals in charge of environmental cleaning, laundry and dealing with soiled bedding, towels and clothes from patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection should wear appropriate PPE, including heavy-duty gloves, a mask, eye protection (goggles or a face shield), a long-sleeved gown, and boots or closed shoes. They should perform hand hygiene after exposure to blood or body fluids and after removing PPE etc (WHO and UNICEF(2020), P.6).

F). Safe disposal of grey water or water from washing PPE, surfaces and floors:

The WHO recommends that utility gloves and heavy-duty, reusable plastic aprons are cleaned with soap and water, and then decontaminated with 0.5% sodium hypochlorite solution each time they are used. The single use gloves and gowns should be discarded as infectious waste after each use and not reused; hand hygiene should be performed after PPE is removed. If grey water includes disinfectant used in prior cleaning, it does not need to be chlorinated or treated again. Likewise, used bathing water from COVID-19 patients does not need to disinfected. However, it is important that such water is disposed of in drains connected to a septic system, a sewer or in a soak-away pit. If grey water is disposed of in a soak away pit, the pit should be fenced off within the health facility grounds to prevent tampering and to avoid possible exposure in the case of overflow (WHO and UNICEF(2020),P.6).

G). Safe management of dead bodies:

While the risk of transmission of COVID-19 from handling the body of a deceased person is low, health care workers and others handling dead bodies should apply standard precautions at all times. The health care workers or mortuary staff preparing the body should wear a scrub suit, impermeable disposable gown (or disposable gown with impermeable apron), gloves, mask, face shield (preferably) or goggles, and boots. After use, PPE should be carefully removed and decontaminated or disposed of as infectious waste as soon as possible and hand hygiene should be performed. The body of a deceased person confirmed or suspected to have SARS-CoV-2 infection should be wrapped in cloth or fabric and transferred without delay to the mortuary area (WHO and UNICEF(2020), P.6).

5. Considerations for WASH practices in homes and communities:

An Upholding recommended water, sanitation and health-care waste practices in the home and in the community is important for reducing the spread of COVID-19. Apart from this, the provision of water enables regular hand hygiene and cleaning. The water services should not be cut off because of consumers’ inability to pay, and governments should prioritize providing access to people without access to water services, through other immediate actions such as protected boreholes, tanker trucks and extending piped supplies etc((WHO and UNICEF(2020),P.7).

Individuals and organizations involved in providing water, sanitation and hygiene services such as treatment plant operators, sanitation workers and plumbers should be designated as providing essential services and be allowed to continue their work during movement restrictions and have access to PPE and hand hygiene facilities to protect their health. This also applies to those promoting hygiene in the community (WHO and UNICEF(2020),P.7).However, the following are other policies of the WHO in this regard.

A). Hand hygiene general recommendations:

The hand hygiene has been shown to prevent respiratory illness. The Hand washing is recommended after coughing and sneezing and/or disposing of a tissue, on entering the home having come from public places, before preparing food, before and after eating and feeding/breastfeeding, after using the toilet or changing a child’s diaper and after touching animals. For people with limited wash services it is vital to prioritize the key times for hand hygiene. As part of a new hand hygiene campaign, WHO recommends that universal access to hand hygiene facilities should be provided in front of all public buildings and transport hubs such as markets, shops, places of worship, schools and train or bus stations etc(WHO and UNICEF(2020),P.7).

B). Hand hygiene materials:

An ideal hand hygiene materials for communities and homes in order of effectiveness are such as water and soap or alcohol-based hand rub, ash and water alone. The hand hygiene stations can consist of either water such as sinks attached to a piped-water supply, refillable water reservoir or clean, covered buckets with taps equipped with plain soap or alcohol-based hand rub dispensers. Where commercial liquid soap or locally made “soapy water” solutions made by mixing detergent with water can be used. The children must be supervised by an adult when using alcohol based hand rub. The regardless of the type of material, the washing and rubbing of hands, and an amount of rinsing water in particular are important determinants in the reduction of pathogen contamination on hands (WHO and UNICEF(2020),P.7).

C). Water quality and quantity requirements for hand washing:

To use the source water of the highest quality possible (e.g. at least an improved water source). The reported quantities of water used for hand washing that have enabled reduction of faecal contamination ranges from 0.5-2 litres per person per hand washing session. The recent experience from the field suggest a hand washing session with as little as 0.2 litres is sufficient (WHO and UNICEF(2020),P.7).

D). Hand washing facility options:

A number of design features should be considered in selecting and/or innovating on existing hand washing facility options. These features include:

1, turning the tap on/off: either a sensor, foot pump, or large handle so the tap can be turned off with the arm or elbow.2, soap dispenser: for liquid soap either sensor-controlled or large enough to operate with the lower arm; for a bar of soap, the soap dish should drain well, so that the soap does not get soggy.3, grey water: ensure the grey water is directed to, and collected in, a covered container if not connected to a piped system.4, drying hands: paper towels and a bin provided; if not possible encourage air drying for several seconds.5, materials: generally, the materials should be easily cleanable and repair/replacement parts can be sourced locally.6, accessible: should be accessible to all users, including children and those with limited mobility and 7, physical distancing between users should be of 1m at least, this can be done by marking the ground, and by ensuring adequate numbers of hand washing facilities to prevent crowds building up(WHO and UNICEF(2020),P.8).

E). Disinfection at home and safe management of excreta:

When there are suspected or confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the home setting, immediate action must be taken to protect caregivers and other family members from the risk of contact with respiratory secretions and excreta that may contain SARS-CoV-2. Support must include clear instructions on the safe and correct use and storage of cleaners and disinfectants, including keeping them out of reach of children to prevent harms from misuse including poisoning. The frequently touched surfaces throughout the patient’s care area should be cleaned regularly, such as tables and other bedroom furniture. Cutlery and crockery should be washed and dried after each use and not shared with others(WHO and UNICEF(2020), P.8).

The bathrooms shared by COVID-19 patients and other household members should be cleaned and disinfected at least once a day. The regular household soap or detergent should be used for cleaning first and then after rinsing, regular household disinfectant containing 0.1% sodium hypochlorite (that is, equivalent to 1000ppm or 1 part household bleach with 5% sodium hypochlorite to 50 parts water) should be applied. The PPE should be worn while cleaning, including mask, goggles, a fluid-resistant apron and gloves, and hand hygiene should be performed after removing PPE (WHO and UNICEF(2020), P.8).

Where households have limited resources, efforts should be made to provide PPE supplies – at a minimum, masks and hand hygiene supplies to households caring for COVID-19 patients. The consideration should be given to safely managing human excreta throughout an entire sanitation chain, starting with ensuring access to regularly cleaned, accessible and functioning toilets and to the safe containment, conveyance, treatment and eventual disposal of sewage and sludge(WHO and UNICEF(2020), P.8).

F). Management of waste generated at home:

The waste generated at home during quarantine, while caring for a sick family member or during the recovery period should be packed in strong bags and closed completely before disposal and eventual collection by municipal waste services. If such services are not available, as interim measure, safely burying or controlled burning may be done until more sustainable and environmentally friendly measures can be put in place. Tissues or other materials used when sneezing or coughing should immediately be thrown in a waste bin. After such disposal, correct hand hygiene should be performed (WHO and UNICEF (2020), P.8).

Those tasked with collecting waste should wear PPE (heavy duty gloves, boots, coveralls, and masks when working in confined spaces) and have facilities for regularly conducting hand hygiene (WHO and UNICEF (2020),P.8).

G). Use of public pools and beaches:

The risk of transmission of SARS-CoV-2 from fresh coastal water or swimming pools and spas, the water contaminated with faeces is very low. For a conventional public or semi-public swimming pool with good hydraulics and filtration, operating within its engineered bathing load, adequate routine disinfection should be achieved with a free chlorine level of 1 mg/l through out the pool etc. This should be sufficient to eliminate enteric pathogens and enveloped viruses like coronaviruses which are sensitive to chlorine disinfection (WHO and UNICEF(2020), P.8).

The risk of transmission of SARS-CoV-2 increases where bathers and people visiting beaches, pools and spas are in small, crowded conditions including in changing rooms, toilets and showers, restaurants and kiosks. The general recommendations on hand hygiene, physical distancing and an use of face masks when appropriate are recommended along with regular cleaning (once or more times a day) and maintenance of toilet facilities (WHO and UNICEF(2020),P.8).

Apart from above, the WHO has said that you can reduce your chances of being infected or spreading COVID-19 by taking some following simple precautions. Moreover, these are the COVID-19 advice policies for the public in the world.

1, Regularly and thoroughly clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and water.2, Maintain at least 1 metre (3 feet) distance between yourself and others.3, Avoid going to crowded places.4, Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth.5, Make sure you, and the people around you follow good respiratory hygiene. This means covering your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze. Then dispose of an used tissue immediately and wash your hands.6, Stay home and self isolate even with minor symptoms such as cough, headache, mild fever until you recover. Have someone bring you supplies and if you need to leave your house, wear a mask to avoid infecting others.7, If you have a fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical attention, but call by telephone in advance if possible and follow the directions of your local health authority.8, Keep up to date on the latest information from trusted sources, such as WHO or your local and national health authorities (https://www.who.int/, accessed on 4-9-2020).

However, safe use of alcohol based hand sanitizers, being healthy at home, staying physically active, healthy diet, healthy parenting, quitting tobacco and mental health are also essential for reducing the chances of being infected or spreading the COVID-19(https://www.who.int/, accessed on 4-9-2020).

VIII. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT:

This revised article was based on author’s paper presented through online mode at an International Conference on “Geo Politics in Post-Covid Era: Emerging Dimensions and Dynamics”. This was held from September 11^th to 12^th, 2020. This was organized by UGC HRDC-Osmania University and Hyderabad Institute of Social Sciences.

IX. CONCLUSION:

To sum up this article, it was observed that the WHO had been working very active and well in various ways, which includes through its policies since an outbreak of the COVID-19 in order to save the health and lives of the people for its member countries in the world. The COVID-19 pandemic has started reducing, but it is still existing. It was found that the WHO’s policies are very good for the complete containment of the COVID-19 in the world, which includes India. So, all the member states, which includes India of WHO have to implement effectively these policies in their respective states or countries peoples health care purpose in order to complete eradication of the COVID-19 pandemic in the world.

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Received on 02.02.2022 Modified on 24.02.2022

Res. J. Humanities and Social Sciences. 2022;13(3):211-222.

DOI: 10.52711/2321-5828.2022.00034