By Zexon Yohane Banda

Lilongwe, October 22, Mana: Government has communities needs to adopt improved hygiene practices and construct improved latrines and use them.

Minister of Water and Sanitation, Abida Mia made the remarks Monday during the launch of Sanitation week and commemoration of Global Hand Washing Day at Chinsapo UNICEF ground in Lilongwe.

She said communities need to install had washing facilities, use them and manage their waste properly.

Mia noted that for the past two years, the country struggled to contain Cholera and one of the solutions to combat such diseases was washing hands.

“Most places have turned into solid waste dumpsites, this put all in danger of getting Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) related diseases,” she observed.

Mia called for massive investments to enhance progress in sanitation and hygiene.

The Minister appealed all communities to join hands in observing this week and there.

“There is need for intervention that will ensure increased access to safely managed sanitation for all Malawians,” she said.

Mia said good sanitation and hygiene practices should be lifestyle both during the week and beyond.  

She disclosed that during there would be several activities aimed at raising awareness

WASH Non- Governmental organization (NGO) representative, Willies Mwandira promised to work together with the Ministry in order to improve sanitation and hygiene activities in the country.

He said good sanitation and hygiene translates into proper development agenda hence the need for collaborative efforts in strengthening them.

Member of Parliament for Lilongwe city west, George Zulu asked for proper waste management saying others are making a living from waste products.

He encouraged the communities to make sure that their waste products are managed in such a way that they can be turned in to manure.

Zulu advised them that, “You should wash your hands with soap before eating and not washing hands with soap after beating. The most important things to do away with germs is before eating you need to clean your hand with soap.”

Traditional Authority (TA) Malili said washing hands remains essential to every community in order to avoid the further spread of WASH related diseases.

He said during this season of Mangoes, there was need to trade carefully saying washing them before eating would remain ideal.  

Every year the world commemorates Global Handwashing Day on October 15.