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Plumtree Correspondent
LOCAL authorities have been urged to provide villagers with safe drinking water in order to reduce unhygienic tendencies in rural communities.
Speaking at the belated commemorations of Global Hand Washing Day for Bulilima District in Ntunungwe area, Bulilima on Wednesday last week, Zanu-PF Politburo member, Cde Richard Ndlovu said some villagers were drinking water collected from unhygienic points.
“There is a need for local authorities to gather statistics on the number of people who are accessing safe drinking water. This will enable them to realise the severity of the situation. A number of villagers are in desperation for safe water sources.
“Villagers are collecting their water from rivers and dams which contain dirty water. These rivers are also water points for livestock which is detrimental to human health,” he said.
Cde Ndlovu said hygienic practices could not be practised within rural communities unless people had access to clean water.
“The day which we are commemorating is important to society but it loses it significance if people are taught to utilise water in order to maintain personal hygiene yet they cannot access this water.
“We would also like to appeal to the visitors we have with us on this day to always recall that people in this area are in need of safe water and their assistance to address this problem would be appreciated,” he said.
Cde Ndlovu urged Bulilima district to utilise abandoned sources to provide safe water for villagers.
“The area of Ntunungwe is one of the most affected areas in the district yet it has a big river which can provide the community with water in abundance.
“The local authority should work towards drilling boreholes along this river so that water problems can be a thing of the past,” he said.
Bulilima district administrator, Mrs Ethel Moyo said diarrhoea related diseases were prevalent in the area.
“Diarrhoea related diseases are ranked as the third most common in the district. At least 4 832 cases were reported last year and they have been attributed to failure by villagers to uphold hygienic tendencies such as washing hands regularly.
“It should also be noted that acute respiratory infections like pneumonia are the most common diseases in the district with a total of 25 588 cases reported last year,” she said.
Mrs Moyo urged villagers to observe hygienic practices despite the water shortage in the district.
“Villagers are facing water challenges but you should utilise the water sources at your disposal. The culture of hand washing holds the basis of child mortality issues. We should embrace this pivotal component of our health and wellbeing irrespective of age and geographic locations.
“Evidence suggests that hygienic practices cut the infection rate of diarrhoea related diseases by 25 percent. The practice of washing hands is the cheapest and one of the effective ways to avoid unnecessary infections,” said Mrs Moyo.
At the same function patrons of Ntunungwe Primary School donated a wheel chair to a seven year old girl, Lorraine Moyo who is disabled and is out of school.
The Global Hand Washing Day is commemorated worldwide on 15 October every year.
This year’s celebrations were held under the theme “The Power is in your Hands — health is in your washing of your hands”.
The celebrations were mooted in 2008 by the United Nations General Assembly with the aim of reinforcing the call for improved hygienic practices worldwide.
The guiding vision of the day is a local and global culture of hand washing not just with water but with soap.
Online Reporter