21 Sep 2014

Environmental concerns in fishing camps around Lake Ngami in Sehithwa have forced authorities to give out a tough ultimatum to either have toilets installed at the camp in the next two weeks or face closure.

This was said by the assistant council secretary for the district, Mr Uyapo Mafunye at a kgotla meeting addressed by the minister of health, Rev. Dr John Seakgosing. 

Mr Mafunye said that only 140 fishing licenses had been issued yet the camps have 1 475 people which is a hazard to the environment, especially in the absence of toilets.

“By the October 2 we shall be closing down the camp if toilets are not availed,” he warned adding that they have so far provided 40 rubbish bins though there are reports that some do not use them.

The minister, Rev. Dr. John Seakgosing advised that it would be healthier if people fished from their homes instead of camping in one place with such poor hygienic and sanitary conditions. 

Rev. Dr Seakgosing linked high numbers of diarrhea and malnutrition recorded in the area to the environmental hazards in the village.

It was reported at the meeting that sanitary pads and human waste were littering camps, a situation which is posing serious danger to the residents’ health.

 There were also reports that some of the fishermen are foreigners which the minister said poses serious national security concerns and promised to escalate this to the responsible ministers.

The influx of people from Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo, who come to buy fish in Sehithwa also poses a danger to the residents especially with regards to Ebola, the minister explained.

In light of this, Dr Seakgosing urged residents to cooperate with government’s efforts in ensuring that Ebola is prevented from making its way into the country.

“The presence of human waste in the environment can also expose your livestock to measles, and your cattle could lose value because of that,” he warned.

The minister also advised residents to rush to the medical doctors before consulting traditional doctors when faced with diseases such as diarrhoea.

On other issues residents also suggested that since they do not have a medical doctor in their village to certify deaths, government could make an arrangement to have the private doctor operating in the village to do that at a fee to be paid by government. 

In his response, Rev. Dr Seakgosing said this could be something worth looking into.  ENDS