More News
“With enough water, you can prevent disease,” Dr. Matias Bwashi
“With enough water, you can prevent disease,”
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.”Americares has worked alongside the government and the staff at Kibondo to make improvements to the entire water supply system — from storage to treatment and distribution — and together they have 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.’”
Recent News
April 12, 2024
Stamford, Conn. – April 12, 2024 – The 2024 Americares Airlift Benefit hosted by award-winning actor and producer Bryan Cranston raised $1.9 million to improve health worldwide.
April 05, 2024
In Gaza, even newborn babies have little chance for a healthy life. While normally, new mothers would be discharged from the hospital with formula and diapers
April 02, 2024
April 2, 2024 We are devastated and heartbroken for the families, friends and colleagues of the World Central Kitchen aid workers who were killed while selflessly working to alleviate suffering in Gaza.
March 21, 2024
Stamford, Conn. – March 21, 2024 – Award-winning actor and producer Bryan Cranston—best known for his iconic roles in “Malcolm in the Middle and “Breaking Bad”—will host the 2024 Americares Airlift Benefit on Thursday, April 11, in New York City.