Mulanje Pushes Sanitation Drive!

Reported by Mustapha Omolabake Omowumi, Managing Editor | Sele Media Malawi

Residents of Mulanje District have been urged to abandon indiscriminate waste disposal practices and embrace proper sanitation measures as authorities intensify public health campaigns aimed at keeping hospitals and surrounding communities clean and safe. The renewed appeal comes amid growing concerns that poor sanitation and littering around public institutions, especially health facilities, continue to expose communities to preventable disease outbreaks.

The call was made during a large-scale clean-up exercise conducted at Mulanje District Hospital under Executive Presidential Order No. 2 of 2026 on health and sanitation, an initiative designed to strengthen environmental cleanliness and improve public health standards across Malawi.

Leading the exercise was Mulanje District Environmental Health Officer Peter Kamuloni, who stressed that sanitation should not be viewed solely as the responsibility of cleaners, health surveillance assistants, or hospital authorities, but as a civic duty that every resident must actively uphold.

Speaking in an interview with MIJ Online during the exercise, Kamuloni said the district council and health authorities are intensifying collaboration with local communities, traditional leaders, healthcare workers, and various stakeholders to promote sustainable sanitation practices and environmental protection.

According to Kamuloni, maintaining a clean environment is directly linked to disease prevention, improved healthcare delivery, and the overall well-being of communities. He warned that careless littering around hospitals and public places undermines government efforts to improve sanitation and poses a major public health threat, especially during the rainy season.

“We have taken a bold step by engaging every citizen in the district to participate in maintaining cleanliness and protecting the environment. Cleanliness should not only be the responsibility of health officials or cleaners, but of everyone,” Kamuloni said.

The sanitation campaign attracted health workers, community volunteers, local leaders, and residents who joined efforts to clear waste around the hospital premises and nearby public areas. Participants removed plastics, blocked drainage waste, overgrown grass, and other forms of garbage that authorities say contribute to environmental degradation and disease transmission.

Health experts have repeatedly warned that poor sanitation remains one of the leading contributors to communicable diseases in many parts of Malawi. Diseases such as cholera, dysentery, typhoid, and malaria are often associated with poor waste management, stagnant water, and unhygienic surroundings.

Kamuloni explained that littered waste frequently blocks drainage systems, creating stagnant water pools that become breeding grounds for mosquitoes responsible for spreading malaria. He added that unmanaged garbage also contaminates water sources and increases the likelihood of diarrheal disease outbreaks, especially in densely populated communities.

The warning comes at a time when Malawi continues to strengthen nationwide efforts to improve sanitation following recurrent cholera outbreaks experienced in recent years. Public health authorities across the country have consistently emphasized the importance of preventive measures such as proper waste disposal, handwashing, environmental cleanliness, and community participation in sanitation programs.

Environmental and health experts argue that maintaining clean hospital surroundings is particularly important because health facilities serve vulnerable populations, including pregnant women, children, the elderly, and patients with weakened immune systems. Poor sanitation around hospitals not only affects patients and healthcare workers but can also compromise the effectiveness of healthcare services.

In Mulanje, authorities say the sanitation campaign forms part of a broader strategy aimed at fostering behavioral change and encouraging communities to take ownership of environmental hygiene. Officials believe that sustainable cleanliness can only be achieved if communities consistently adopt responsible waste disposal habits and actively participate in keeping public spaces clean.

Local leaders who participated in the clean-up exercise also echoed Kamuloni’s concerns, urging residents to stop dumping waste carelessly in drainage channels, roadsides, marketplaces, and hospital compounds. Some leaders expressed concern that despite ongoing awareness campaigns, littering remains widespread in several parts of the district.

Community members who joined the exercise acknowledged the importance of maintaining cleanliness but called for stronger enforcement measures, including penalties for illegal dumping and improved waste collection systems. Others appealed for increased public awareness campaigns in schools, marketplaces, churches, and villages to help educate residents about the dangers associated with poor sanitation.

Public health analysts note that sanitation campaigns are most effective when accompanied by long-term investment in waste management infrastructure, environmental education, and consistent community engagement. In many districts across Malawi, limited waste disposal facilities and inadequate drainage systems continue to challenge sanitation efforts.

Despite these challenges, authorities in Mulanje remain optimistic that continued cooperation between communities and health officials will significantly improve sanitation standards in the district.

Kamuloni reaffirmed the district’s commitment to implementing Executive Presidential Order No. 2 of 2026 and ensuring that health and sanitation remain priorities at both community and institutional levels. He said the district will continue organizing clean-up exercises and awareness initiatives to encourage residents to embrace responsible environmental practices.

He further stressed that environmental cleanliness is not only a health issue but also a development concern, as dirty surroundings negatively affect tourism, business activity, education, and the general quality of life.

“Every citizen has a role to play in protecting the environment and preventing diseases. A clean district reflects responsible communities and contributes to better public health outcomes,” he added.

Malawi has, over the years, intensified campaigns promoting sanitation and hygiene as part of broader public health interventions supported by government institutions, local councils, development partners, and international organizations. Agencies such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF have consistently advocated for improved sanitation systems and stronger community participation in hygiene promotion initiatives.

According to WHO, poor sanitation remains one of the major causes of waterborne and hygiene-related diseases globally, particularly in developing countries where access to proper waste management systems remains limited. Experts say strengthening sanitation at community level can significantly reduce preventable illnesses and lower pressure on healthcare facilities.

In recent years, Malawi has recorded progress in promoting hygiene awareness through school health programs, community-led sanitation initiatives, and public health campaigns. However, authorities acknowledge that more work remains to be done in addressing behavioral challenges related to littering and environmental negligence.

Observers say the Mulanje sanitation campaign demonstrates growing recognition among local authorities that community involvement is essential in addressing public health challenges. They argue that long-term success will depend on sustained public education, accountability, and adequate support for sanitation programs.

As the clean-up exercise concluded, officials urged residents to maintain the momentum by ensuring that homes, marketplaces, schools, hospitals, and public areas remain clean throughout the year rather than only during organized campaigns.

Authorities also encouraged communities to report illegal dumping activities and support local sanitation initiatives aimed at creating healthier living environments.

The Mulanje campaign adds to similar sanitation drives being conducted in various districts across Malawi as the country works toward improving environmental health standards and preventing disease outbreaks linked to poor hygiene and waste management.

With concerns over communicable diseases continuing to affect communities across the country, health officials believe that strengthening sanitation culture among citizens could play a critical role in safeguarding public health and supporting Malawi’s broader development goals.

Sources:
MIJ Online, World Health Organization (WHO), Malawi Ministry of Health, UNICEF Malawi