T/A Mwansambo area declared ODF
The Ministry of Health has declared the area of Traditional Authority (T/A) Mwansambo in Nkhotakota open defaecation free (ODF), bringing the number of ODF areas in Malawi to 29.
Speaking on Friday during a field day WaterAid and Participatory Development Initiative (PDI) organised with funding from Australian Aid, the ministry’s zonal health officer Jane Namasasu said the area has been declared ODF because of its adherence to sanitation guidelines.
She said: “Unlike in the past, all households in this area are now using clean toilets. These are toilets which have all what it takes to promote sanitation.”
Namasasu commended WaterAid and PDI for promoting sanitation in the area since five years ago. She said it is the wish of government to declare all 263 T/As in the country ODF when they follow sanitation guidelines like use of good toilets.
WaterAid country director Mercy Masoo said sanitation is key to development, hence her organisation has also promoted good water supply in the area.
She said: “Progress of any development relies on the health of people. Lack of toilets makes people sick and become passive on development.”
About K1.8 billion has been spent for the project in the area.
