DRC/Kisangani: 2 elementary school and a health center equipped with sanitary facilities

Two elementary school, Malikiya and Chololo, as well as the Malikiya health center in the town of Kisangani (Tshopo) were equipped with sanitary facilities on Saturday January 13.

UNICEF, which financed the construction of these facilities, officially handed them over to the provincial Minister of Public Health and her colleague in charge of Primary, Secondary and Technical Education (EPST) on Saturday.

The schools are "two mechanical boreholes with solar pumps and a mini water supply system", explained UNICEF/Kisangani Head of Office Moctar Hann.

The health center, for its part, has been equipped with "a block of latrines with a 4-door alternating pit, and a laundry tub", he added.

The UNICEF head of office hopes that these supplies will help improve access to water, hygiene and sanitation in the elementary school and health facilities targeted.

For his part, Dr Lolo Ofoidi, Medical Officer in charge of the Tshopo health zone, was delighted with the acquisition of these works.

He therefore recommended that the beneficiaries ensure their protection:

"UNICEF will be leaving, but we're going to stay and protect our work.UNICEF will be leaving, but we're going to stay to protect our work, and that's what we're imploring the community, the school authorities, teachers and pupils to protect these structures.

The total cost of the work to build these infrastructures is estimated at 266,217 USD, 254,506 USD of which came from UNICEF.

This UN agency financed them as part of the implementation of the "Strengthening access to water, hygiene and sanitation" project in eight health facilities and two elementary school in the city of Kisangani.

The project is implemented by the NGO Programme de promotion de soins de santé primaire (PPSSP).

Source: www.radiookapi.net/