Improved WASH Interventions Reduce Diarrhea Cases at Kangolwa Health Centre, Ntchisi
WaterAid Malawi's WASH interventions at Kangolwa Health Center in Ntchisi district decrease diarrhea cases, enhance health service delivery.
NTCHISI, MALAWI — Improved water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) interventions at Kangolwa Health Centre in Ntchisi district, Malawi, have reportedly reduced diarrhoea cases among under-five children, writes Meclina Chirwa.
Community members said that the interventions, which were implemented by WaterAid Malawi with funding from the Wimbledon Foundation in the United Kingdom, have made a significant difference in the quality of life for people in the area.
Previously, women were struggling a lot, walking long distances to fetch water for the hospital,” said Wilson Kandoje, a community member.
“The facility was registering many cases of diarrhoea, especially among children under five. Currently, things have improved with the arrival of WaterAid Malawi interventions. We have solar-powered water tanks, modern toilets and bathrooms, and above all, diarrhoea cases have reduced.”
Sestino Arkanjelo Kamkulukuta, the facility-in-charge at Kangolwa Health Centre, confirmed that the number of diarrhoea cases has decreased since the WASH interventions were implemented.
“In the past, we were registering higher cases of diarrhoea and other infectious diseases,” he said.
“But now, as you can see, water is not a problem, and we have also intensified hygiene promotion activities not only at the hospital but in all surrounding areas. In the absence of the interventions, we were registering over 30 cases of diarrhoea per month, but now it’s less than 10.”
James Mtonga, Ntchisi district hospital environmental and health officer, said that the WASH interventions have had a positive impact on health service delivery in the district.
“Since WaterAid came to the district, we have had quite a number of interventions,” he said.
“They first started supporting us in four healthcare facilities such as Chinguluwe, Malomo, Nthondo, and Kasonga. In those facilities, they have been supporting WASH. But now they have extended to other facilities—in total, 9 out of 13 facilities. This is a great milestone because Ntchisi was not hit hard with Cholera because of the improved WASH interventions.”
Laston Zungu, WaterAid’s programme officer, said that the project has made a significant difference in the lives of people in the area.
“Before we came in, there was no running water, the placenta pit was very old, even the toilets were old,” he said.
“But now we have managed to construct a modern placenta pit, an incinerator, and solar-powered water tanks with a capacity of 10,000 liters.”
The WASH interventions at Kangolwa Health Centre are a success story, and they show the importance of providing access to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities.
These interventions have made a real difference in the lives of people in the area, and they have helped to improve the quality of healthcare services.