- Over 40% of health facilities in Uganda do not have access to fresh water.
- The project will also be extended in schools.
Image: Wasswa Deo
UNICEF with support from British high commission has commissioned seven solar powered water points in seven health facilities in Kasanda district.
These health facilities includes, Makokoto Health center III, Buseregenyu HC III, Musozi HC III, Kyasanswa HC III, Nalutuntu HC III, Kijuna HC III and Namabale HC III.
Kasanda District being one of the worst hit by previous Ebola Outbreak, UNICEF Uganda country office in partnership with UK's Foreign Commonwealth and development Office(FCDO) identified a need to have the health facilities well equiped with water supply.
Munir Safieldin, representative UNICEF country Uganda office while commissioning the project has said that one of the reasons that Ebola spread in many parts of the country including Kasanda is the lack of Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) in the health facilities.
In the lack of IPC, many of health workers became victims of Ebola and transmitted the Ebola to other patients who came to seek other healthcare in the same health facilities. Munir said.
The installation of solar-powered water supply systems, is a crucial step in preventing future disease outbreaks and ensuring sustainable access to safe water and aim to benefit over 30,000 people including patients, health workers and the surrounding community. He further noted.
The selection of the Seven health centers, was made based on criteria established by the district, the district health and water offices in consideration of the volume of patients and limited availability of safe and clean water.
Munir added that the health facilities must have adquate water supply and sanitation in order for the medical teams to be able to wash their hands properly after examining every patient in the lab of IPC.
"Many of the health workers became victims of Ebola, not only that, they transmit it to other patients who came for other differences to the same health facility. So we took it upon ourselves together with the British High Commission, together with the Ministry of Health and together with the leadership of Kasanda that we don't want Ebola or any transfer of any disease to hit back without being very much prepared to prevent and to control." He said.
He noted that the seven water schemes are Solar powered because it is clean, reliable, sustainable and doesn't need electricity to operate.
Image: Wasswa Deo
"Solar power is clean, sustainable and it is of cost that you make one time and then it turns on itself. You don't need electricity, you don't need generators, you don't need fuel and at the same time, the water supply systems are serving the health facility and the neighbouring community." He added.
He promised to consider the expansion of the water supply beyond health facilities to schools.
Phillip Smith, Head of Development Cooperation, British High Commission said One of the prerequisites for an Ebola response is clean water.
Over 40% of health facilities in Uganda do not have access to fresh water which triggered us to come out to ensure that they we provide water facilities like boreholes to support that immediate Ebola response. Smith said.
He noted that the scheme will not only help heath facilities, but also communities, providing benefits in terms of food security through allowing people to irrigate thier gardens.
Fahirah Mpalanyi Bbosa, the Deputy RDC Kasanda cautioned members of the community to have it as a routine, to always tell young ones to wash their hands and also to remind the elders to do the same saying there's no way a community can develop when its people are unhealthy.
She applauded Unicef and UK for the great developments in her area and cautioned community members to jealously protect and keep these facilities safe.