Clean Water Flows at Kibondo Hospital

“With enough water, you can prevent disease,”

Dr. Matias Bwashi

Imagine a hospital without water: That was Kibondo District Hospital in rural western Tanzania until last year. The water supply was not dependable, so patients, health workers and staff had to bring their own — often paying for it — or work in unsafe conditions, risking infection. Now, thanks to a partnership with Americares, clean water flows in all wards of the hospital and staff and patients alike can access new toilets.  

“The community that surrounds our district hospital is thankful for the availability of clean water at all times in the hospital because it has gotten rid of the whole ordeal of buying water [or] fetching water from distant homes,” says Advira Peter, who delivered her youngest child at the hospital last year. “We will benefit a lot from it since it will save us from huge costs.”

“We are proud to work alongside the government and the staff at Kibondo to make these improvements,” says Dr. Nguke Richard Mwakatundu, Americares country director, Tanzania. “Americares improved the entire water supply system — from  storage to treatment and distribution — and ensured there is proper waste management, laundry services and infection prevention control protocols.”

Hospital staff know a cleaner environment is safer for everyone. “With enough water, you can prevent disease,” says Dr. Matias Bwashi, the former medical officer in charge of Kibondo Hospital. Everything can be kept clean — from health worker’s hands, medical equipment to sheets and towels. The hospital was also paying for water — funds that can now be used for medicine and supplies, says Bwashi.

The hospital is a point of pride in the community. Says Advira,

“As the old saying goes, ‘the better the toilet, the better the house.’”