No water at health facility for 5 years
Katili Clinic in Paramount Chief Kyungu in Karonga has operated for five years without running water.
The situation forces guardians to bring water to the facility every time they seek medical assistance.
In an interview on Monday, group village head (GVH) Cheghama pleaded with authorities in the district to drill a borehole at the clinic.
“The two boreholes drilled by TNM and European Union [EU], respectively, broke down in 2015. Since then, no efforts have been made to drill another one,” he said.
The chief also asked authorities to upgrade the clinic to a health centre as maternal cases are handled at Karonga District Hospital 15 kilometres away.
A health worker asked authorities to provide them with a wireless message facility to enhance communication during emergency.
Lupembe Ward in Karonga Central Constituency councillor Vincent Kayuni admitted that Katili Clinic is facing a water problem, but attributed it to low water table as the area is hilly.
He said: “Last time we failed to drill a borehole because engineers failed to get water.
“However, this time around money for the borehole is available at the council and anytime we will drill one before the water table sinks.”
Open Society Initiative for Southern Africa health governance officer Obert Mkandawire blamed duty-bearers for the problem.
He said: “They should be taken to task for their lack of commitment to promote sanitation and hygiene at the facility.
“For a health facility to function properly, water should be available. Therefore, the community should demand an explanation from their elected leaders for failing to bring water to the facility.”
