Health centre operates for 6 years without latrines
Non-functional. Residents pass by one of the collapsed pit-latrine at Kasensero Health Centre III , Kakuuto County, Kyotera District. PHOTO BY AMBROSE MUSASIZI
What you need to know:
- A 2010 UN habitat brochure on the water and sanitation initiative in landing sites on Lake Victoria found that 76 per cent of the population lacks access to sustainable supplies of safe drinking water; 72 lack access to improved sanitation, whereas less than five per cent of the garbage is being collected by the local authorities.
Kasensero Health Centre III in Kakuuto County, Kyotera District lacks functional lavatory facilities.
The pit-latrine at the facility collapsed six years ago and a new one has not been built since then.
This has exposed people to the risk of contracting diseases such as typhoid, cholera, intestinal infections, and diarrhoea, among others.
The health facility, located near Kasensero Landing Site, serves more than 15,000 people.
Currently, staff , visitors, caregivers and patients at the facility use another waterborne toilet located about 200 metres away from the health centre, where they pay Shs300 per visit.
A visit to the facility on Tuesday revealed that faecal matter is being littered around the unused pit-latrine.
Ms Agnes Namusiitwa, a councillor representing Kakuuto Sub-county, said they have continuously reminded the district authorities about the absence of a functional pit-latrine at the health centre, but no action has been taken.
“We are in fear that we could see cholera attacking us as the rainy season starts,” she said.
Mr Gerald Kasekende, a resident of Ggwanda Village, said: “People in this area are used to going to bushes to answer the call of nature since they live near the lake. The health workers have, however, tried to clean the place as they create awareness to the community on the dangers of disposing human wastes anyhow, but they need extra assistance, most especially construction of a new modern pit-latrine.”
One of the health workers at the facility, who preferred anonymity, said they receive about 60 patients daily and close to 2,000 patients per month.
“Most of our clients come from remote areas and landing sites and some cannot raise Shs300 to use the toilet. They resort to using the nearby bushes,” the health worker added.
Dr Edward Muwanga, the Kyotera District health officer, said they are finalising plans to erect a new pit-latrine.
Mr Muwanga said the district has already secured some funds for the construction.
Kyotera, which became a district two years ago after being carved out of Rakai, has one hospital (Kalisizo hospital) and one health centre IV (Kakuuto Health Centre IV). There are also 10 health centre IIIs and 22 health centre IIs.
Report
A 2010 UN habitat brochure on the water and sanitation initiative in landing sites on Lake Victoria found that 76 per cent of the population lacks access to sustainable supplies of safe drinking water; 72 lack access to improved sanitation, whereas less than five per cent of the garbage is being collected by the local authorities.
According to Water Aid Uganda recent findings, around 26,000 children die every year from diarrhoea, which is caused by unsafe water and poor sanitation in Uganda. A World Bank Water Sanitation Programme report, 2012, indicates that poor sanitation is costing the country at least Shs389billion annually.
The money lost in three years can meet the cost of building the pit-latrines the country needs, which stands at Shs1.3 trillion. Depending on depth and usage, each pit-latrine takes not less than five years to fill, experts from Water Aid say.
