MOROTO HEALTH WORKERS CALL OFF WATER STRIKE

Health workers of Kakingol HCIII in Katikekile Sub County, Moroto District have resumed work despite scarcity of water. The health workers went on strike last week due to lack of water. The facility has been facing challenges of water shortage for the last two years. However, this season, the situation deteriorated due to prolonged drought. At the facility, expectant mothers, patients or their attendants walk distances of more than 3km to access water from murky sources. In some cases, villagers offer to fetch water at a cost of Shs1,000 per jerrycan. The lack of water has led to filth inside the facility. Stains of blood are a common sight in the general and maternity wards. Timothy Okiror, the In-Charge Kakingol HCIII, says they were asked to return to work by the district officials. He notes that the water situation at the facility has not changed, adding that the health workers only attend to emergency cases especially deliveries. Martin Jaachan Gwokto, the Chief Administrative Officer Moroto says the water problem will soon be addressed. Robert Nangiro, the village chairperson of Narengenya in Kakingol wants authorities to treat the situation as an emergency. He says the water situation has affected both the health unit and the school.