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Malven Mugadzikwa in Matobo
The government has instructed local councils to “fix water, sanitation, and hygiene ” to restore sanity in the country’s 92 local authorities and curb the spread of cholera and other water-borne diseases.
Guided by the Local Authorities Service Delivery Blueprint—”Call to Action- No Compromise to Service Delivery,” launched by President Mnangagwa in November last year—local councils are expected to implement the blueprint to achieve the national goal of achieving world-class cities by 2030.
During the 2024 Global Handwashing Day, World Toilet Day and Sanitation Week commemorations held at Mbuso Primary School in Matobo, Matabeleland South Province on Friday, Deputy Minister of Local Government and Public Works, Engineer Benjamin Kabikira said local authorities should deliver by providing adequate and quality services religiously.
Eng Kabikira said: “We remain expectant of maximum cooperation from contributing significantly councils in development trajectory as articulated in our Vision 2030.
“Local authorities should strive and continue to make Vision 2030 realisable by playing the specific roles stressed in various policy documents.
`”It is critical to note that the report back on targets set in the Blueprint of 30 June 2024 has indicated significant progress on our part.”
The Minimum Service Delivery Standards (MSDS) for various service delivery areas in local authorities, he said, are now in place.
“They have now been piloted and will soon be rolled over to the 92 local authorities.
“Therefore, so each and every one of us should play their part as we all agree that ‘Nyika inovakwa n evene vayo’ ‘ilizwe lakhiwa, libuswe ngabanikazi balo’,” he said.
Minister of Health and Child Care, Dr Douglas Mombeshora as represented by Mr Victor Nyamandi (Director Environmental Health Services) said handwashing was key in preventing cholera and other diseases.
“Handwashing is a fundamental practice that significantly contributes to public health by preventing the spread of infections and illness, thus the need for access to potable water,” said Dr Mombeshora.
“The effectiveness of handwashing in reducing diarrhoea-related illnesses is between 23-40 percent and respiratory infections like colds by 16-21 percent.”
He attributed the recurrence of water, sanitation, and hygiene-related diseases to the shortage or unavailability of potable water supply, safe sanitation facilities, and poor hygienic practices.
Representing the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development represented by Director of WASH Mr. Nesbert Shirihuru reflected that, “government will continue strengthening and prioritising WASH sector Research and Development Agenda under the auspices of the National Action Committee to ensure we maximise on the various innovations in the sector nationally and internationally.”
“Statistics from the ZimLac report show that only 6% of Zimbabweans are handwashing with soap so we ought to have a national movement towards handwashing with soap. The report also shows that nationally the sanitation coverage is 39% and open defecation is hovering above 25%.,” said Mr Shirihuru.
Global Handwashing Day is an annual global advocacy day dedicated to advocating for handwashing with soap as an easy, effective and affordable way to prevent diseases and save lives.
This year’s commemorations were held under the theme, “Why are clean hands still important?”
Tinaye Agere
Online Reporter