The residents of Kassanda district are excited about the change in their quest for reliable clean water sources at their health center IIIs, thanks to the installation of seven solar-powered water stations provided by the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) with funding from the United Kingdom Department for International Development (UKAID).
Each of the seven health center IIIs in the district, including those in the town councils of Kassanda, Bukuya, and Kiganda, has received the water stations. This initiative holds significance, especially following the Ebola Sudan virus outbreak between September 2022 and January 2023, which claimed 54 lives in Kassanda district.
Dr. Herbert Nabaasa, the commissioner for environmental health in the Ministry of Health, highlights the challenges faced during the Ebola outbreak due to water scarcity. “Fighting this disease was very difficult in this area because the district is water stressed yet to prevent the disease from spreading, it needs a lot of water,” he said.
He emphasizes the importance of sufficient water supply to prevent disease spread and expresses optimism that these solar-powered stations will enhance outbreak management and support healthcare in the installed health centers.
Nabaasa acknowledges that despite the government’s establishment of health centers, the lack of safe water has compromised sanitation and health service delivery in many areas.
Patrick Kasingo, the LC1 chairperson of Kanugga village, echoes the community’s reliance on rainfall and swamps for water, which has contributed to disease outbreaks. He believes the water points will significantly improve sanitation standards in the area.
While commissioning the water stations at Makokoto Health Center III on Wednesday, Philip Smith, the developments director at the British High Commission in Uganda, emphasized their aim to provide safe water to over 30,000 people in these regions and enhance healthcare quality in alignment with the UK government’s efforts to support Uganda’s health centers lacking access to safe water.
Munir Safieldin, the UNICEF country representative, underscored the role of Infection Prevention and Control mechanisms (IPC) during outbreaks and highlighted the necessity of such measures to curb disease transmission, especially in health centers.
He revealed the establishment of water operation and management committees, jointly managed with the community, responsible for daily operations, maintenance, and collecting nominal fees for water usage. Safieldin also disclosed one member from each community is trained in the maintenance of the water station to ensure sustainability.
The introduction of solar-powered water stations not only addresses immediate water scarcity but also sets the stage for improved healthcare and disease prevention.
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