Improvements in Bankass in waste management, sanitation and access to drinking water

Despite ongoing displacement issues in Mali, exacerbated by fuel shortages and the risk of violent conflict on the roads, Eyes of the world was able to deliver protective equipment and biomedical waste management equipment to the Bankass district.

Healthcare personnel received a significant donation of protective equipment for the collection, internal transport and safe treatment of biomedical waste. This equipment is specifically adapted for the handling, sorting and disposal of hazardous waste generated in healthcare facilities:

• 35 work overalls to protect against direct contact with waste
  33 pairs of gloves for use during collection and handling
  30 pairs of protective glasses to prevent splashes of contaminated liquids
  30 pairs of rubber boots
  30 dust masks to prevent inhalation of particles
  21 three-colour bins for the source separation system for biomedical waste (infectious waste, waste similar to household waste and specific waste)
  21 wheelbarrows for the safe transport of biomedical waste from the points of generation to the storage or treatment areas

This marked the immediate launch of the biomedical waste management system at the Bankass Reference Health Centre, which will be implemented with the commitment and supervision of local health and administrative authorities.

Also in January, it was noticed that several water points and latrine blocks in Bankass were in need of repair, as they were either damaged or not working, which limits basic hygiene practices and compromises efforts to eliminate disease.

Structural damage and deterioration were identified at the Joseph Yarro School Group, and improvements were defined for various infrastructures: expansion of water points, construction of new collective handwashing facilities, construction of new latrines, and provision of hygiene and sanitation kits.

This Eyes of Mali project is funded by the Provincial Council of Bizkaia.