Concerns Mount Over Unsanitary Toilets at Chikwawa District Hospital

With a catchment population of over 600,000 people, the situation calls for immediate action to ensure adequate sanitation and hygiene standards.

CHIKWAWA, Malawi— Authorities in Chikwawa district have raised alarm over inadequate hygiene standards of the toilets at Chikwawa District Hospital, writes Moses Thole.

The hospital relies on pit latrines, apart from a few flushed toilets, which pose health risks to both patients and staff, according to district health officials.

"We are sitting on a time bomb that can explode anytime," said Anganile Ngosi, director of Focus for Development, a local NGO.

Ngosi lamented the lack of action from relevant authorities, highlighting the potential for disease outbreaks like cholera due to the unsanitary conditions.

Moreover, Ngosi expressed dismay over the insufficient number of pit latrines, with only two available for the entire district hospital despite receiving government funds.

Ngosi has urgently notified the director of social and health services in the district to address the issue promptly.

While Settie Priminta, the health promotion officer for Chikwawa District Hospital, requested additional time to comment, reports indicate patients enduring bed bug-infested beds, attributing the situation to negligence.

With a catchment population of over 600,000 people, the situation calls for immediate action to ensure adequate sanitation and hygiene standards at Chikwawa District Hospital.

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