Waterborne diseases concern residents

WATERBORNE diseases because of unsanitary water storage facilities and the use of pit toilets is a major issue for residents of Naqiroso settlement, an informal community located about six kilometres from Lautoka City.

Settlement headman Ratu Sione Ravusou said because of sanitation issues, children and the elderly often suffered from gastrointestinal illnesses.

“We all draw water from unsanitary storage containers and this is often topped up once a week,” he said.

“Women do boil the water sometimes for our kids but sicknesses like running stomach still occur.

“Only a few residents in Naqiroso have water seal toilets, most of us have pit toilets because of the water issue in our settlement and we are hoping this will be looked into soon.”

The informal community, which is home to 108 people, has no direct road access to the settlement. Residents have to walk a kilometre along a boggy track to get to Naqiroso.

Ratu Sione believes that once a road is constructed, water access could be improved and health issues reduced.

“It is our hope that the road access will be allowed sometimes soon so that we can have access to other amenities and improve our living standards.”