A solar-powered water system has been installed at Makumbo Health Centre in Traditional Authority Zilakoma, Nkhata Bay to serve over 4,000 people who depend on the facility.
Funded by UNICEF through the Government of Malawi under the United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), the system boasts eight communal water points and three water points within the health facility, ensuring clean and safe water is accessible to all.
Nkhata Bay District Water Officer McLean Chunga hailed the system as a game-changer, emphasising its strategic design to offer a sustainable solution in areas plagued by electricity supply challenges.
“The solar-powered system guarantees a constant water supply without relying on the national grid, which is especially crucial for healthcare facilities like this one,” he explained.
With a storage capacity of 20,000 litres, the system is reliable even during peak demand. Chunga expressed confidence that the investment will improve hygiene and health service delivery at Makumbo Health Centre while reducing waterborne diseases in surrounding communities.
“We are confident that this investment will not only improve hygiene and health service delivery at Makumbo but also contribute to reducing waterborne diseases in the surrounding communities,” he added.
The installation of this solar-powered water system is expected to address water challenges at the facility and in the community.
