Coronavirus: Government steps up hygiene measures

As the government steps up efforts to tame the spread of coronavirus, the ministry of health is leaving nothing to chance.

Health experts advise that the spread of the virus may be checked through observation of hygiene for instance through routine handwashing with soap.  

The Ministry of Health has therefore directed the Chief Executive Officers of the Water Works Development Agencies to work with the respective County Governments and the Managing Directors of all the WSPs within their respective areas to ensure all public water points within the towns/city centres are functioning for effective hand washing.

They have also been advised to install adequate handwashing points within the urban areas including cities, towns, slums and market centres, provide water tanks in strategic locations & points to enable efficient and effective hand washing points.

Eng. Michael Thuita, CEO AWWDA together with officials from Ministry of Water and Sanitation at the launch of a hand washing point at Jevanjee Gardens, Nairobi

The points must be supervised to avoid wastage of water eg; taps being left running throughout even at night without control.

Other measures include mapping high densely populated areas to ensure there is adequate water supply and points for handwashing and liaising with water service providers to ensure adequate provision of water to all the residents.  Water supply interruptions must be avoided and all broken downs boreholes are repaired.

They are also to ensure all hospitals, health centres, and dispensaries have an adequate water supply for use in the hospitals and in rural areas where there are no adequate water supply systems ensure the installation of plastics tanks, which are regularly filled with safe water even through water tracking to ensure effective handwashing and use of water.