Transforming Lives: The Power of WASH in a small village

Hey there, welcome back to my blog! 

Remember our last discussion on how crucial WATSAN environments are in Tanzania’s health sector? Well, this time, we're taking a closer look at a specific case that really brings this issue to life.

Picture of a Tanzanian dispensary

In Tanzania's southern highlands, the local dispensaries are the lifeline for maternal and newborn health. A staggering 43% of deliveries happen right there in these facilities. But there's a catch – the water and sanitation conditions in these areas have been less than ideal, posing severe risks to both mothers and newborns (Benova et al., 2014).

The link between sanitation, water and maternal mortality is clear. Poor sanitation during labour can lead to infections, and unsafe water storage can expose pregnant women to life-threatening infections (Emerson & Purcell 2004). This isn't just about maternal health; it's about the future of the children too. Early childhood infections can leave lasting impacts throughout a child's life (Fink et al., 2011).

 

World Maternal Mortality Ratio

Zooming in on Sub-Saharan Africa, we find the region grappling with some of the highest maternal mortality rates globally. And here's where local actions towards achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDG6 – clean water and sanitation, and SDG3 – good health and well-being) can make a real difference, especially in ensuring safer, more hygienic healthcare facilities for mothers and newborns.

 

Let us now turn our attention to Itaipura Dispensary in Songwe District. Established in 2015, the dispensary has been a beacon of hope, providing basic outpatient, birthing, reproductive and child health services to about 4,500 locals. They handle a substantial caseload – about 200 outpatient visits and 15 deliveries a month!

Photo taken in a dispensary- showing water buckets in the store

But life at Itepula wasn't always smooth. Dr Ndavukai Larinyon recounts days without water supply or sanitation facilities. Can you imagine healthcare professionals queuing up with residents to collect water from the only borehole? The strain on already limited human resources was immense, especially during the COVID outbreak when water needs surged.

 

However, a significant turnaround came in 2019 with the Tanzanian government's establishment of the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASA) and the implementation of the massive US$350 million Tanzania Sustainable Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Program (SRWSSP) (World bank, 2022). This program brought a wave of change to villages like Itepula.

 

Thanks to SRWSSP, the Itepula Dispensary saw major upgrades – six flush toilets with hand-washing facilities, a bathroom and toilet for the delivery unit, a hand-washing station, and a 5,000-litre storage tank. Dr Ndavukai recalls: “We once had a tough case of postpartum haemorrhage; we were lucky to have had the few buckets of water that saved the day. Access to water is critical for delivering our services”.

 

This shift in water and sanitation infrastructure is not only about improving health outcomes, but also about restoring dignity and hope to health workers and ensuring the health and safety of local populations. This proves that targeted investments in water, sanitation and hygiene infrastructure can create positive change throughout a community.