Karonga dispensary goes 14 years without water

Communities in Karonga have sounded an SOS towell-wishers to rescue Katili Dispensary from water woes which date back to 2005 when the facility was constructed.

During a health advisory committee meeting organised by Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation (CHRR) at Katili on Friday, the committee’s chairperson Robert Kumwenda said for 14 years the health facility has struggled to access potable water, forcing the community to supply it with water on a weekly basis.

He said the situation has worsened because the area’s water table is far much lower, making it difficult to sink boreholes.

“We had a borehole but it could not last because of the water table which goes much lower during the dry season. We need piped water to end the problem,” said Kumwenda.

Representative of group village head Cheghama, Gregory Ngozo, said leaders from five villages met and arranged that every village should supply water to the health facility on weekly basis.

Karonga District Hospital administrator Clement Gonthi said the District Health Office has no capacity to provide potable water for katili.

He said there is a borehole at the facility but it appears the water table is too low.

CHRR project officer Modester Ramundi said they are implementing a health governance project in Traditional Authority Kyungu to ensure there is transparency and accountability in accessing health services.

Katili Dispensary, situated about 35 kilometres from Karonga Boma, serves about 2 000 people.