Transforming a Health Center with Clean Water in Uganda and South Sudan
Located in the Pader district of northern Uganda, the Angole Health Center II used to struggle to provide basic care to its patients due to unsafe water. The health center, situated near a trading center, serves as a vital community hub, yet its lack of a clean water source hampered its ability to deliver effective medical care.
Meet Awor Margaret
Challenges Before the Water Well
Awor Margaret, a dedicated midwife at the health center, recounted the struggles of fetching water from a nearby primary school’s borehole, shared with the local community. This routine disrupted patient care, often leaving medical staff unable to attend to patients promptly. Water shortages sometimes forced staff to turn patients away or provide them with unsafe water, jeopardizing their health further.
During crises, such as borehole breakdowns, staff faced a daunting two-kilometer trek to an open stream for water. Oyella Ketty, a nurse at the center, vividly recalled the risks of leaving patients unattended while fetching water contaminated with visible organisms.
The Impact of the New Water Well
Thanks to Drop in the Bucket’s initiative to drill a new water well, the Angole Health Center II now enjoys reliable access to safe water for drinking, hand washing, patient care, and facility hygiene. This transformation has been pivotal, enabling the center to meet Ministry of Health standards for cleanliness amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
Oyella Ketty, observing community members benefiting from the well, expressed relief. The new water source ensures continuous care for patients without interruptions due to water scarcity or concerns over water quality.
Beyond the health center, communities in Uganda and South Sudan face similar water challenges. Gender disparities often burden women and children with the responsibility of fetching water, affecting their education and economic opportunities.
Organizations like Drop in the Bucket play a crucial role in addressing these challenges, focusing on clean water solutions that empower communities, promote gender equality, and enhance overall well-being.
The success story of the Angole Health Center II underscores the transformative impact of access to clean water, highlighting the urgent need to support initiatives that bring safe water to Africa.
