SOS: Thieves get away with water pump of KK's Mpamantha Health Care facility

Malawi: There is an SOS at Mpamantha Health Care facility in Traditional Authority Malengachanzi in Nkhotakota regarding the lack of safe water and the district council's inattention to the issue, writes Owen Nyaka.

Thokozani Tambulasi, a medical assistant at Mpamantha health care facility, confirmed that the water pump was stolen 6 months ago and that they are currently using an individual's boreholes.

According to WaterAid's Head of Policy and Advocacy Chandiwila Chisi, similar incidents have occurred, and this is sad and retrogressive.

According to Chisi, the importance of water availability in health care facilities cannot be overstated.

"Water is an essential component of health-care facility hygiene and operation. In the absence of water, childbirth cannot be performed safely. Water is critical in protecting healthcare workers, patients, and caregivers from infection, "Chisi says

Malawi Health Equity Network (MHEN) Executive Director George Jobe says this is not the first time a water pump has been stolen from a health facility in Nsanje or other districts.

"This is a backward motion. We would like to urge district councils to strengthen health committees and facility leadership in order to provide vigilance over health facility infrastructure and prevent such incidents from occurring, "Jobe says.

He stated that where there are pumps, communities and chiefs must take responsibility for safeguarding the equipment so that money for procurement can be used for other issues.

He stated that it is unfortunate that innocent people are suffering in Mpamantha and that there is a need for communities to sign memorandums of understanding with councils as a system to ensure security.

Mpamantha facility serves a population of 22, 082 people and has maternity that also serves CHIA in Nkhotakota district.