Rwamagana in hygiene campaign

Rwamagana District has committed to improve hygiene standards to prevent poor sanitation-related diseases.Eduard Ngabiziranga, the in-charge of environmental health at the district, made the remarks during an environmental health tour in Nyabihu District last Friday.“We have realised that Nyabihu residents have done a lot in terms of hygiene even when their landscape is not friendly. They have pit latrines despite the nature of their soil and they are clean. Good hygiene is visible, we are also committed to mobilise our residents to do better than they are doing now,” Ngabiziranga said.Government seeks to eradicate diseases related to poor hygiene by 2020.Nyabihu District was chosen for the tour as one of the best districts in promoting environmental health in the country.During the tour, Rwamagana officials were briefed about how Nyabihu District had managed to do it.The group toured some cells in Jenda and Jomba sectors, where they inspected residents’ latrines, ‘kitchen gardens’ and hygiene clubs, among others.“We aim at mobilising all Rwandans to mind about their personal hygiene. This will help us keep diseases at bay,” said Jerome Gatabarwa, the head of environmental health at the Ministry of Health.Role of clubs “We are proud and optimistic that Rwanda registered remarkable improvement in terms of hygiene, we want first to fight sanitation-related diseases among children under five and primary pupils,” Gatabarwa added.The hygiene drive is being facilitated by local leaders in charge of social affairs, community health workers and hygiene clubs.It was noted that the clubs have played a significant role in the promotion of hygiene because they are closer to the residents.Nyabihu residents said sanitation diseases in the area are an issue of the past, thanks to support from various partners.“We joined hygiene clubs and acquired some knowledge on how to ensure proper hygiene in our homes. Diseases due to poor hygiene are no more in our homes,” said Marie Louise Nyirahabimana, a resident of Kagaga cell in Jenda sector.

National

Rwamagana in hygiene campaign