Survey exposes sanitation gaps in Chiladzulu
At least 40 percent of households in Sub Traditional Authority (STA) Onga in Chiradzulu do not have sanitary facilities, a situation that puts them at risk of diarrhoea, cholera and other hygiene-related diseases, a recent baseline survey has revealed.
World Vision Malawi (WVM) conducted the survey having noted a rise in diarrheal and cholera cases in the area.
WVM Onga area programme manager, Loyce Mkuzi, said in spite of the emphasis government and its cooperating partners put on using pit latrines and washing hands with soap after visiting the toilet to prevent bacterial infections, a considerable number of people do not heed the call.
Speaking on Wednesday on the sidelines of an awareness campaign at Mbombwe Full Primary School, Mkuzi explained that the situation was worsened early this year by floods which washed the few working latrines in the area, which are yet to be replaced.
She said: “Our survey also revealed that a good number of households do not have access to safe drinking water, adequate sanitation and proper hygiene services. We’ve, therefore, embarked on a campaign to empower communities to improve the situation to avert illnesses and diseases that can cause deaths.”
She further expressed concern over reports that some families are abusing insecticide treated nets the organisation distributed a few months ago.
Chiradzulu district health office public relations officer, Owen Chataika, disclosed that a majority of the beneficiaries are using the mosquito nets for fishing or making vegetable gardens.
