Mpigi receives equipment to improve hygiene

The department of health in Mpigi district has received a boost of equipment to help in promoting good hygiene in the district.

The equipment which includes five motorcycles, computers, office tables, printers, desks and tables all worth sh80m, was on Friday handed over to the department on a scientific function presided over by the Mpigi resident district commissioner, Rosemary Byabasaija, at the district health department

This was part of the donation from the Uganda Sanitation for Health Activities Uganda to the district health department targeting especially the sub-county health inspectors to help ease their work.

Handing over the donation, Byabasaija tasked the district sub-county health inspectors who received the brand new motorcycles to work hard towards increasing latrine coverage in their areas of operation.

"As you receive these motorcycles, I urge you to work hard towards increasing the latrine coverage in your areas, this will help in fighting the outbreak of diseases that come as a result of poor hygiene," Byabasaija said.

Currently, the Mpigi district latrine coverage stands at 65%, this means that 35% of the residents in different homesteads use open defecation to ease themselves which puts the population at risk of contracting diseases like cholera.

She urged them to use the motorcycles they have acquired in reaching out to the community to sensitise them on proper hygiene measures and also ensure the fight against the coronavirus through sensitising them on the proper best operating procedures.

"Be result orientated, you have a big role to play as the sub-county health assistants in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, use the transport well by reaching out to the community through sensitisation, this is because the largest percentage of people can be saved from contracting such diseases through sensitization," said Byabasaija.

The district chairperson Peter Clever Mutuluuza, applauded the good working relationship which exists amongst all leaders in the district which he says is the reason why many sectors have continued to benefit through donations.

He asked the health department to ensure they produce results after the boost of equipment.

"With this major boost, I expect you to start producing good results, you have to work hard in improving on hygiene in your areas," said Mutuluuza.

Godfrey Kanyarutookye, the district chief administrative officer, asked the health inspectors who received motorcycles to be careful when using them and to guard them as their personal property.

He reminded them in of their role in fighting against poor hygiene and promoting good hygiene in homesteads where they operate from.

"I kindly ask you not to misuse this equipment, treat them as your personal property, guard them jealously and ensure you produce results," said Kanyarutookye.

Francis Ssendi, the district health inspector and the focal person, said he was excited about the donation and equipment received as it will be a major boost in their activities.

"I am so excited about this donation, I would like to thank our donors and I ensure the whole district administrators that my team is going to produce good results," he said.

Health inspectors from the five sub-counties of Muduuma, Buwama, Kituntu, Kammengo and Mpigi town council all received brand new motorcycles to ease their movements as they traverse their areas sensitising and inspecting the hygiene of the community.