By Chisomo Masaiti Chiusiwa
Government has urged locals in Ntchisi District, and Malawians at large, to adhere to hygiene and sanitation practices by maintaining clean toilets to prevent outbreaks of waterborne diseases, especially during the impending rainy season.
Deputy Director of Sanitation and Hygiene in the Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Matthews Kalaya, made the call at Khuwi Trading Center in the area of Senior Chief Kalumo during the commemoration of World Toilet Day, noting that despite awareness campaigns, only 46 percent of households in Malawi have proper toilets.
“With 8 billion people globally lacking access to proper toilets, and only 46 percent of Malawian households having hygienic toilets, there is a huge gap that needs to be filled, particularly through awareness campaigns,” Kalaya said.He emphasised the importance of intensifying toilet hygiene and sanitation campaigns as the rainy season approaches, a period when waterborne disease outbreaks are common.
Speaking earlier, Country Director for WaterAid Malawi, Peter Phiri, echoed Kalayas sentiments, describing the 46 percent access to proper toilets as worrisome. He highlighted the need to engage communities in awareness initiatives and incorporate the effects of climate change into hygiene campaigns.
“As an organisation, we are aiming for improved hygiene behaviour change, which is one of the key indicators we will use to monitor sanitation improvements,” Phiri said.
During the ceremony, WaterAid handed over 200 bicycles, costing over K100 million, to health promoters in the district to ease mobility challenges in implementing hygiene and sanitation campaigns.
