Kasungu District Council has launched its second hygiene and sanitation campaign, targeting public spaces amid calls for communities to take greater responsibility for cleanliness.
The campaign was launched on Tuesday, August 11, following President Peter Mutharika’s directive requiring local councils to intensify efforts to improve hygiene and sanitation in their areas.
The initiative targets government offices, markets, hospitals, schools, and other places used by the public.
Kasungu District Council vice-chairperson Tereza Kanyukuta said the council is committed to ensuring that the campaign continues beyond its launch.
Kanyukuta said the council will engage various stakeholders to mobilise resources and equipment needed to support the initiative.
She said the campaign has started with government offices because public institutions needed to set an example for other places.
“If hygiene fails in government offices, it can be difficult for others to understand what the government wants to achieve,” Kanyukuta said.
She urged businesses, organisations, and other stakeholders in the district to take part in the campaign and help ensure that hygiene activities did not lose momentum.
Kasungu District Commissioner Dr Lawford Palani said the council has established special committees to monitor the campaign and ensure that hygiene activities continue across the district.
Palani also called on government departments, traditional leaders, businesses, and communities to participate in maintaining cleanliness.
“We will use the departments under my office to ensure that hygiene promotion is taking place in all areas and that people are participating,” he said.
Senior Chief Kaomba welcomed the initiative, saying it demonstrated the government’s commitment to promoting hygiene and sanitation.
The traditional leader urged residents to regard cleanliness as an important measure for preventing diseases associated with poor sanitation.
The council has consequently called on office workers, traders, and residents to take responsibility for maintaining cleanliness in their respective areas.
The campaign is being implemented under Hygiene and Sanitation Executive Order Number 2, with Kasungu authorities expected to sustain monitoring and stakeholder participation to ensure the initiative continues beyond the launch.
