Maji Safi (Safe Water)

In 2009, diarrhea was estimated to have caused 1.1 million deaths in people aged 5 and overand 1.5 million deaths in children under the age of 5 (WHO).  One billion people in the developing world don't have clean water to drink.  In the context of HIV or other chronic diseases, clean water is especially important when dealing with immune-compromised patients. 

AMPATH is working to improve access to safe clean water at both the community and household levels.  In partnership with Proctor and Gamble AMPATH is able to provide water treatment packets to patients which kill the viruses that cause cholera and typhoid fever and is able to ensure that the treatment solution is available in community villages through the initiation of a supply chain to local dukas (stores).  AMPATH is also working to establish safe community water wells and developed a safe water system and hand washing curriculum to educate local chiefs and elders, health care workers and communities about the importance of safe drinking water. AMPATH is currently in the process of expanding the scope of this program to provide safe and available water for all 2 million Kenyans living in the AMPATH catchment area.  This expansion will include a refurbishment of the hospital/clinic water systems, a community point-of-use program including treatment chemicals and ceramic filters, community borehole drilling, a water-testing laboratory and a geological survey.