Guardians at Karonga District Hospital Concerned Over Water Challenges

Malawi - Guardians at Karonga District Hospital are expressing concern over water challenges caused by a malfunctioning borehole that has been out of service for three weeks, writes Wezzie Mwangonde.

The water shortage has forced guardians to draw water from surrounding villages, where they must wait in long queues alongside community members.

Baleke Mwaungulu, a resident of Village Headman Mwenekawe under Traditional Authority Kilupula, notes that the water challenge at the shelter has made it difficult for guardians to manage their time for food preparation for their patients and follow hygiene measures such as cleaning toilets.

"Water is a challenge here. We are afraid that we will suffer from communicable diseases that come due to unhygienic conditions such as cholera because we are no longer cleaning the toilets we rely on boreholes from the surrounding communities," said Mwaungulu.

Mboka Kayisi, Chairperson of the Borehole Committee, has requested well-wishers to help the guardians at the shelter, stating that drawing water from the surrounding communities has become another challenge, requiring guardians to walk long distances to fetch water.

Kayisi further explains that the borehole requires new materials to be fixed, as it was dug in 1985, and most of the materials were bought a long time ago.

"Pipes on this borehole were bought when the borehole was dug, and this is why guardians are not being provided with water from this borehole, which is based right here at the shelter. It is a challenge for a guardian to be far away from his or her patient because they are supposed to fetch water," explained Kayisi.

During a State of the Nation Address earlier this month, President Dr Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera assured Malawians that the country is eager to pursue different projects to achieve Sustainable Development Goal number 6.

He stated that it is not acceptable that in the 21st century, the country should still have millions of citizens without access to clean water.

"We hope that the relevant authorities will act swiftly to address this water challenge and ensure that the guardians at the Karonga District Hospital have access to clean water to promote hygiene and health," said Mwaungulu.