Fighting Cholera: VIP latrines and Boreholes initiative in Tanzania
Tanzania has been experiencing a cholera outbreak that was first reported on the 15th of August 2015 from Dar es Salaam and then spread to the other regions of the country, affecting 23 of the 26 regions. As of February 2018, a cumulative of 29,418 suspect cases
and 482 deaths have been reported.
Despite the decline in magnitude and geographical spread, the epidemic continues to persist in some regions; for example, Kilosa district in Morogoro, Tarime district in Mara, and Mpwampa district in Dodoma have been reporting a significant number of cases since
late October, 2016.
The affected districts suffer from inadequate access to safe and clean drinking water, poor sanitation coverage, and lack of good hygiene practices. In order to control the on-going cholera transmission, WASH interventions needed to be strengthened. WHO, thus, initiated and funded two projects aimed at improving coverage of latrines and access to safe and clean drinking water in the hotspot regions.
The projects were:
a. The construction of over 150 demonstration improved latrines in Mara, Mwanza, Morogoro, and Dodoma.
b. The construction of 18 hand pump fitted boreholes in hotspot villages of Mara and Mwanza.