20 T/As stop defecating in the open
The country has steadied its strides towards lessening huge costs of tackling disease resulting from poor sanitation, with the Ministry of Health declaring 20 out 263 traditional authorities (T/As) free from open defecation.
Government in 2010 embraced an ambitious goal to ensure all Malawians stop defecating in the open by last year, but only seven TAs had met this expectation by New Year.
The urgency to increase toilet use has compelled government to extend the deadline to 2020 and Minister of Health Peter Kumpalume is optimistic the country will eliminate the public health crisis if communities take the lead in accelerating sanitation and hygiene practices.
On Friday, Kumpalume handed T/A Sawali as well as sub-T/As Toleza and Matola in Balaka South certificates of recognition for ensuring nearly every household constructs and uses a clean latrine with hand-washing facilities.
He challenged all Malawians to embrace the total sanitation agenda, announcing that the first district to achieve the coveted status will receive “a massive, life-changing water project”.
Said Kumpalume: “I don’t know how to fail. I want to succeed in everything I do. I am still young. Strive to be the first district to achieve the open defecation-free [ODF] status. If we achieve total sanitation, the country will start saving enough money to build one hospital every year and make sure the health facilities have adequate drugs.”
According to the Water and Sanitation Programme of the World Bank, the country loses nearly $57 million (an equivalent of K8.6 billion) due to poor sanitation.
The survey shows nearly 1.4 million Malawians have no latrines and defecate in the open, putting the country in the league of 35 countries that have to overcome open defecation to reduce their disease burden.
Chris Williams, the executive director of the Water Supply and Sanitation Collaborative Council (WSSCC) of United Nations (UN), ranked the country “well ahead of many others” and “on course to achieve the sanitation agenda”. n
