by Chisomo Kambandanga
Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation, Liana Kakhobwe Chapota is hopeful cases of water borne diseases will reduce in Nkhata Bay following attainment of open defecation free (ODF) status by areas of Senior Chief Fukamapiri, Mankhambira and Sub Traditional Authority Mndola in the district.
Speaking Tuesday at Kafunga Primary School Ground in the district during a joint ODF celebration for the three areas, Chapota encouraged communities to sustain the statuses so that no more lives are lost due avoidable poor hygiene related diseases.
“With healthy people and communities free from stress that comes with outbreaks like cholera, there is an assurance of improved development. Government is set to roll out a project of providing portable water to rural communities across the country so that every citizen has access to safe and clean water,” she said.
Senior Chief Mankhambira said his area attained the ODF status through implementation of various measures including imposition of fines on households that did not have toilets.
He commended government, World Vision Malawi and Northern Region Water Board (NRWB) for introducing ODF initiative in the district.
Operations Director for World Vision Malawi, Mavuto Kholowa said the organisation is implementing various interventions in 35 Traditional Authorities across the country aimed at helping the areas attain ODF status.
Director of Administration for NRWB, Dongakhulu Hlongo said the board supports ODF interventions as they are in line with their duty of providing safe and portable water for improved health to communities.
