Community demands back water tank for health centre

Community leaders around Lupembe Health Centre in Paramount Chief Kyungu’s area in Karonga have asked Karonga District Health Office (DHO) to bring back a water tank they took two years ago.

Making the call on Monday during the Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation (CHRR) health governance project end of year review meeting, the leaders said the water tank will enhance safe motherhood at the newly-constructed maternity wing at the health centre.

Lupembe Health Centre management committee chairperson Dick Sichali said the absence of the water tank is negatively affecting the maternity wing’s cleanliness, hygiene and sanitation.

He said: “We have failed to engage the DHO to bring back our water tank which was taken at night a few years ago to Nyungwe Health Centre.

“Now that a maternity wing has been constructed at Lupembe, we would like to appeal to the director of health and social service to give us back the tank.”

However, in an interview, Karonga District director of health and social service David Sibale said the tank was removed from Lupembe to Nyungwe because it was idle.

 “Nevertheless, another tank will be purchased for the health facility if a need arises,” he said.

CHRR assistant project officer Wilfred Mwambira said he was impressed that community members are able to demand good service delivery from duty-bearers.