The radio platform welcomes engineer Walid Mahjoub, director of Shindi Water, and Professor Samia Othman, director of the general administration of health and housing of the locality.
Followed by: Khaled Muhammad Al-Baqir
⭕ An important meeting took place in the city of Shendi which welcomed engineer Walid Mahjoub, director of Shendi Local Water, and Ms. Samia Othman, director of the General Administration of Health and Housing. The discussion focused on the major challenges facing Shendi Water, in addition to efforts to improve water and health services. Both sides discussed a set of vital projects aimed at improving the current situation. Despite the difficult conditions, work continues inside and outside the city. The Nile Station project was highlighted, which is one of the major projects that local authorities are working on.
⭕Shendi City faces many water challenges as the current systems are over thirty to forty years old. Engineer Walid Mahjoub also stressed that the facilities currently present in the city require significant improvements. Improving water networks is urgently needed to ensure the supply of clean and safe drinking water. Despite the challenges, efforts are being made by the local administration to rehabilitate water supply systems. The problem lies in the high cost of building new lines, which reaches $30,000, which slows down renewal operations.
⭕ The Nile Station project is considered one of the important projects to improve water services in Shendi City. The project requires coordination between several players to facilitate the importation of equipment and circumvent customs obstacles. The success of this project can directly contribute to improving water quality. Providing the city with clean drinking water is also considered one of the essential factors in reducing the spread of diseases. This project is considered a window of hope for the citizens of Shendi who depend on well water.
⭕Old networks are among the most significant obstacles to providing sufficient water to citizens. Upgrading these networks requires significant investment, but the results will be healthy and economic benefits for the community. It is important that the government cooperates with donors to obtain the necessary financing. These outdated networks also pose a risk to public health, as they can contribute to disease transmission. Community awareness efforts regarding the importance of network maintenance are essential to achieving these goals.
⭕Professor Samia Othman also spoke about the close relationship between water and public health. She stressed that there is a need for health programs to include awareness-raising efforts to reduce health risks resulting from poor water management. A proactive plan was implemented to address outbreaks, as the administration worked to review shelters and prevent the spread of disease. Thank God, no cases of tuberculosis have been recorded in the city thanks to the preventive measures taken. Promoting hygienic behaviors remains crucial to facing future health challenges.
⭕ The displacement of residents from neighboring villages greatly affects the spread of epidemics in Shendi City. The influx of displaced people is contributing to the increase in cases of cholera and other infectious diseases. A few cases were also recorded with the arrival of the two delegations from Al-Jazeera villages, although the town of Shendi remained immunized and no cases of cholera were recorded despite its spread in Nile State in due to the pools and the measures taken by the Ministry of Health since the influx of displaced delegations, but the city managed to reduce the number to 27 cases. This is the result of efforts made by local authorities and the community. Continued efforts are needed to ensure that no new cases of outbreaks develop.
⭕ A resilience program was launched through UNICEF to cover health aspects in the city of Shendi for two years. This program includes the improvement of water and public health services, which constitutes a positive step towards improving the quality of life of citizens. The success of this initiative depends on cooperation between all segments of society. The program is expected to bring a noticeable change in the daily lives of citizens. Effective resident input will be necessary to achieve the desired goals.
⭕ She also stressed that the behavior of citizens constitutes a major obstacle to public hygiene operations. The problem worsens in markets, where limited awareness contributes to widespread waste. Stakeholders from various business activities have deteriorated society's awareness about the importance of cleanliness. Therefore, the authorities concerned need to step up their awareness efforts and disseminate information on the importance of cleanliness. Effective message delivery and awareness raising will have a positive impact on citizen behavior.
⭕ The Director of Shendi Water also confirmed that the cost of establishing new water networks is one of the important factors hindering the improvement of water service in Shendi. The current situation requires huge investments to modernize the networks, since its price and renewal cost exceed $30,000. The ability to raise donations and financial support from institutions will help achieve this goal. Managers must develop strategic plans to address these financial challenges. Improving water quality requires the commitment and cooperation of all parties involved to achieve the desired results.
⭕ Professor Ihab Ashry presented the podium from the platform, and the listeners were connected from the radio booth by his colleague Muzammil Faqiri for direct direction and implementation, and this was supervised by Engineer Al -Nazir Muhammad Ahmed, radio director, and a large group of journalists and media professionals followed and covered the event.
Questions were also asked by journalists and received transparent answers.
