48% of Mzimba residents lacking sanitation facilities – study

A recent study has revealed that 48% of residents around Mzimba district business area have no access to proper sanitation services a thing which exposes them to the risk of waterborne diseases that emanate from poor hygiene.

The study which was supported by the Northern Region Water Board –  NRWB with funding from the African Development Bank -ADB also indicates that 0.1% of the residents are still practicing open defaecation because they don’t have access to toilets.

NRWB sanitation engineer Tasiyana Sumani Chimphamba said to reduce cases of waterborne diseases which are a drain on resources the board has teamed up with an NGO to promote proper sanitation.

Chimphamba said the board has sub granted  $140000 from the grant it obtained from the ADB to the Association of Rural Community Development ARCOD to implement a sanitation marketing and hygiene promotion project which will bring sanitation services to the people

” After seeing the results of the study we thought we should not only improve the water services and also the sanitation services as you know issues of water and sanitation move together so we supported ARCOD to improve sanitation “,said Chimphamba.

She said the boards target is to ensure that all residents around the business area  move up the sanitation service ladder for them to prevent outbreaks waterborne diseases.

ARCOD executive director Patrick Mkandawire said the sanitation marketing and hygiene promotion project will create demand for modern sanitation services around the district business area.

” We are currently training builders on how they can make modern sanitation facilities like toilet slabs  and other related products which will then be sold to those in need”,said Mkandawire.

Mkandawire said the current situation around the business area paints a gloomy picture as most residents do not have modern sanitation facilities.

“The project is relevant as you know water is life and it is so relevant to be done in Mzimba because of problems of water which residents experience so its very, very relevant ,” said Mkandawire.

Mkandawire said the project will also create demand driven supply of the sanitation products among the residents another vital process towards  completely doing away with open defecation

“The project will help people live a better life by engaging in sanitation marketing and hygiene , for  those who will be producing the products they will generate income and for those who will be buying the products will have access to good sanitation therefore have a better life too”,said Mkandawire.

One builder Edinghton Phungwayo said the training  will enable them come up with modern sanitation facilities which will help in creating a healthy community around the business

“Ofcourse in so doing we will also be getting a little something for ourselves and we may also employ other people interested in making sanitation products” Phungwayo said.

Open defacation still remains an issue in most parts of the country despite numerous interventions being orchestrated by non governmental organizations and government to end the habit.

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