UTH water project 70 percent complete

The K69.7 million University Teaching Hospitals (UTH) water supply improvement project in Lusaka is 70 percent complete, with remaining works scheduled for completion by December this year. Health Minister Roma Chilengi stated that reliable water is essential in health facilities, where shortages can disrupt service delivery and expose patients to infections, including cholera. The government is committed to resolving UTH's long-standing water issues for a safe and hygienic environment.

Professor Chilengi emphasized water's non-negotiable role in hospitals for patient care, sanitation, and medical services, comparing a lack of water to closing the facility. He urged authorities to prevent wastage due to leaks, especially given the country's energy challenges. The improved system is also intended to benefit the Women and Newborn Hospital and the Cancer Diseases Hospital on the UTH premises.

The project was initiated after the 2023 cholera outbreak highlighted the need for better water and sanitation infrastructure in health facilities. The Ministry of Water Development and Sanitation, through Lusaka Water Supply and Sanitation Company, assessed UTH's water infrastructure in late 2023 to identify necessary improvements.

Why it mattersPatients at the University Teaching Hospitals face risks of infection and disrupted care due to unreliable water supply.

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