Health officials worried over waste in Ntcheu markets
Ntcheu District Health officials have expressed concern over poor waste management which has led to unhealthy sanitation and hygiene in market centres in the district.
Speaking in an interview after visiting Ntcheu Central Market waste dumping site, Deputy Environmental Health Officer for Ntcheu, Luscious Donsa said the unhealthy sanitation and hygiene in almost all markets is a potential hazard which can lead to an outbreak diseases.
“This has to be checked, if we have to prevent cholera and other diarrheal diseases during this year’s rain season,” said Donsa.
Donsa said both liquid and solid waste management is a challenge in the district especially at Ntcheu Urban Centre which requires Ntcheu District Council to partner with various stake holders to address the situation.
“I have noted that in most markets, waste dumping sites are close to residential areas thereby fueling the risk of disease break outs within the concerned communities,” he said.
Commenting on the situation, one of the residents of Yeneya Village in Ntcheu, Grace Zuze said community members have for a long time been approaching Ntcheu District Council to take collective measures to ensure proper waste management at Ntcheu Central Market, but their plea has not achieved anything.
“Health workers inspect the waste dumping site regularly but we do not see any improvement. This dumping site is just so close to my plot and we experience bad odor which emanates from this site especially during the rainy season,” said Zuze.
She said some people relieve themselves on the site and in the abattoir (animal slaughtering house).
“This dumping site becomes bushy during the rainy season and turns into a mosquito bleeding place and harbors snakes which is a hazard to our health,” she said.
Meanwhile, Ntcheu District Water and Sanitation Coordinator, Madalitso M’manga has called on organizations and stakeholders to support the intervention.
With financial assistance from Catholic Health Commission of Dedza Diocese, Ntcheu District Environmental Health Office is conducting environmental inspection, community sanitation and hygiene awareness across the district.–Mana
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This is government problem failing to facilitate good living environment as a results we will dump everywhere
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