WaterAid installs Wash facilities in health centres

WaterAid says it has installed water, sanitation and hygiene (Wash) facilities at Ntchisi District Hospital and 10 health centres in the district to promote hygiene and sanitation.

The facilities installed under the 150 Health Facility Challenge project include solar-powered water supply systems, incinerators and modern refuse pits.

Speaking on Monday after visiting Mndinda Health Centre, WaterAid programmes officer Laston Zungu said their target is to reach out to 75 healthcentres with Wash facilities in the country.

“We have committed to lobby for funding to support 75 of the 150 health facilities as other players in the sector will take up the remaining 75 facilities. So far, we have managed to get funding to support 60 health facilities in the country,” he said.

Zungu said with funding from Giorgio Arman and Acqua for Life, they are looking forward to reaching out to 15 health facilities with improved Wash facilities.

Mndinda Maternity Nurse in-charge Blessious Kamwanja commended WaterAid for supporting the facility with Wash facilities.

She said: “We were facing various challenges due to lack of wash facilities. For example at the maternity ward, women were struggling to access water for bathing after giving birth.

“But now the solar-powered water supply system will improve hygiene among pregnant women and their guardians.”

Mndinda health centre also serves people from Traditional Authority Mwansambo in Nkhotakota District.

Marriam Kapachika, a guardian, said they were struggling to access water while at the hospital.

“In the wake of cholera outbreak in the country, we need potable water, especially in health facilities,” she said.