Open defecation a major problem in Mzimba
Reports are rife that most households in Mzimba are still sqauting among the few trees and bushes and defecate in the open despite various interventions by government and stakeholders in hygiene and sanitation.
Recent statistics by Mzimba District Health Office show that only 15 per cent of the households have toilets in their homes while the rest practice open defecation.
Speaking during the open day conducted week-end by Word Alive Commission for Relief and Development (WACRAD) at Edingeni on hygiene and sanitation, District Environmental Health Officer (Mzimba South District Health Office), Chimwemwe Jera, said most people in the district do not see the importance of having latrines.
He said the situation is against the background of frequent sensitization and various interventions by both government and stakeholders on sanitation and hygiene.
According to Jera, the culture of drinking beer amongst the Ngoni men of the district also contributes to numerous households having no pit-latrines, saying men do not have time for construction of toilets.
“The issue of latrines is not impressive in Mzimba as the majority still practice open defecation and, I feel, there is need for quick behavioral change interventions and collaborative efforts by all stakeholders to curb the malpractice,” said Jera.
He said government is trying to empower the people to use locally available resources to construct pit-latrines.
Out of 2000 villages in the district, 230 have been reached with the initiative of toilet construction with local materials, which is hoped to change the current situation.
WACRAD Project Officer, Malani Nyirenda, said his organization is implementing the hygiene and sanitation programme at Edingeni, to improve health conditions and status of people in the area.
bola asena amanyera madzi nanga atumbuka inu chimenechi ndi chani?
It has been long ndinanyera patchire I need to try it once.Munthu kunyera pa ntchire is not a crime.
Nonse onyeranu, onyoza za angoninu dziuli dzokhadzoka pamchera panu nonse. Osangowagulira ma legeni amenewo nkumuswa nawo pa mgulapo sangadzanyerenso patchire muwafunse kumwanza malire ndi mozambique ma toilet amapezeka pa xool pokha adasiya chifukwa cha ma legeni ndiponso wamujambulayu siuja amati akanyera nkutsuka uja? Si mmadzi umu kkk.
VISIT ALL BOMAS IN MALAWI AND SEE WHAT IS THERE ALSO, IT IS NOT ONLY MZIMBA, MAKE A GOOD RESEARCH BEFORE YOU WRITE. GO TO THE LAKE SHORES ALSO SEE HOW THEY GO ABOUT. PLEASE GVT TO EDUCATE ALL CONCERNED IN MALAWI.
DO NOT PIN POINT MZIMBA ONLY.
mtumbuka tsopano
Inu, let you not generalize the issue, I come from Mzimba and let you know that Mzimba is huge and the fact that there is a problem in one corner of Mzimba should not be generalized to the whole Mzimba. Secondly, the issue, of drinking cannot be a reason for communities to fail to build pit latrines. project iyi is new and I suppose you just want to drive your agenda but do it properly and not demonizing the whole Mzimba
Mwaonatu ma tenant mumakaola Ku South ndi Central mmene akuwonongera dzina laku mpoto.They have brought their filthy culture of pooing everywhere and now r muddying the name of the smart northerners.The reporter has a score with northerners.Asiya mitundu yawo yanyau uko.Zikwangani za open defecation r all over by USAID in Malawi and why singling Mzimba only?Even the Old Town in Lilongwe city it doesn’t have toilets.Ku Market people r urinating and shitting everywhere while the toothless city council is watching.Munawonapo Gule aakunyera mu toilet?Stop talking shit of northerners.
First we need not offend others. This problems is can be found in districts in all the four regions of the country or 3 what ever you want. The DHO in Mzimba and his DEHO should be commended for coming up with the baseline data and for openly acknowledge that problem. Then can then formulate and implement solution to improve health and dignity of the the people the serve. This is what all health workers aim to do. My advice to the DHO and his team, don’t make assumptions; if you want to know “WHY” the people do not construct… Read more »
No doggy style kwa mtumbuka. Oh shit
Mzimba patchire, Nkhatabay ku nyanja. Koma akakupasani dzikolo la federation ndiye kukhala chani? Anthu a utchisi inu.