16,000 people in Oyam district lack pit latrines

20 March 2023, 1:00 pm

By Voice of Lango editorial (editor@vol.co.ug)

Oyam

At least 16,000 people in Oyam district lack pit latrines.

This was revealed by Oyam District Health Officer, Dr. Thomas Malinga during the health performance review meeting held at Rainbow hotel in Oyam town Council.

According to Malinga, much is still needed to be done in order to boost latrine coverage in the district to curb open defecation.

Dr. Harriet Aber, senior Health Environment Officer of Oyam said recent data collected in July 2022 indicates that 82.2% of the total population in the district is without pit latrines, leaving 17.8%, an equivalent of 16000 people defecating openly.

Aber said the assessment also showed that many people have non-recommended latrines which puts them at a risk of contracting sanitation related diseases.

She said they have currently launched a sensitization drive which is focusing on improving sanitation facilities in the district.

However, some locals in Oyam district have mixed reactions over latrine coverage in the district.