|
 |
 |
| Water tanks allocated through
Minor Rural Projects (MRP) |
Community participation (in
the rural area)
very much appreciated |
Community Participation Wins The Day
The most significant factor contributing to the success of this rural water supply
programme was the active and committed community participation. This had been
emulated by other agencies that were also implementing rural water supply projects.
In fact, most agencies and bodies (government and non-governmental) found it convenient
to co-operate with the Health Department in the implementation of their water
supply projects.
Though the Health Department had the expertise and the manpower, the capacity
to implement the project was limited by the financial allocation given by the
Ministry of Health. Realising this problem, funds were allocated through other
departments or ministries for implementation by the Health Department. In the
case of Minor Rural Projects [MRP], funds for rural water supply projects were
allocated to the Resident Offices and District Offices.
The State Government also channelled funds through its agencies such as the Public
Works Department [JKR] while the Federal Ministry of Rural Development also contributed
substantially to the renovations of those projects which are already more than
twenty years old. Up to date there are 2647 gravity feed water supply systems
serving 70,000 households and benefiting 410,000 people. This makes up about 35%
of the total population living in the rural areas.
Expenses
The gravity feed water supply system has undergone tremendous improvement and
development. From a modest cost of RM2450.00 per supply in the 60’s, the
cost now increases to the tune of RM100, 000.00. This takes into account the distance
of the source from the village, the amount and cost of materials and other requirements
for which the prices have skyrocketed.
In addition to the change from galvanised iron pipes [G.I.P.], to polyvinyl chloride
pipes [PVC] and now the high-density polyethylene [HDPE] pipes, the pipe sizes
have also been improved upon to provide better supply to the people. A total of
RM35 million had been spent for the provision of gravity feed water supply system
to cater for the needs of the rural community.
Regular Maintenance Is Essential
The role of the Health Department does not end with the mere completion of these
projects. There are many after-care services that need to be provided in line
with the objectives of the programme.
The most important is the maintenance aspect of these projects. Under the integrated
preventative maintenance programme the villagers were taught to be more self-reliant
in the regular maintenance and simple repairs of their water supply system.
This is to ensure the sustainability of the project. It is here that the water
supply committee plays a very important role to see that the water system is
fully functional and serves its purpose.
However, matters of much technical consideration are referred to the Department
for further action. These involve renovations and extension works. In fact most
of the gravity feed system that are over twenty years old have been fully renovated.
On the opposite end, there were also cases, where the water sources were polluted
and laid barren by massive human economic activities such as agricultural and
logging. Since they were very difficult to rehabilitate, suitable alternative
water system were given to the affected villages.
Quality Monitoring
Physically speaking the water sources are generally clear and clean, but all
the gravity feed water supplies are not treated.
Therefore the villagers are strongly advised to boil all drinking water before
consumption, which in fact is the norm in the rural population in the State.
Nevertheless, the Department is not taking chances. The quality of the water
from the system is monitored by taking samples for both chemical and bacteriological
analysis. Immediate remedial measures are taken in cases of any violation of
acceptable standards in these samples.
In areas of high goitre incidence rate, iodinators are installed in the household
piping system. Apart from providing iodine for consumption by the families,
it also acts as a treatment process for the water supply.
The decrease in the incidences of water borne diseases such as cholera, dysentery
and typhoid in the rural areas of the State is a clear testimony of important
role of rural water supplies in promoting good community health.
The rural gravity feed water supply system is a stop-gap measure in the eventual
provision of treated water supply. In areas where the villages are within the
operational areas of the water authorities [Water Board or Public Works Department],
the role of the Health Department in this matter diminishes. The householders
must tap the treated water provided for by these agencies.
In remote areas the Health Department continues to maintain its presence in
the provision of integrated continuous health care in line with the Vision for
Health for our nation.
Incidences of Water Borne Diseases in Sarawak from 1975 to 2002
| YEAR |
NO OF CASES |
| |
CHOLERA |
TYPHOID |
DYSENTERY |
| 1975 |
70 |
648 |
5403 |
| 1980 |
2 |
458 |
165 (2) |
| 1985 |
0 |
462 (1) |
66 |
| 1990 |
71 |
269 |
399 |
| 1995 |
48 |
166 |
66 |
| 2000 |
1 |
5 |
153 |
| 2002 |
0 |
23 |
87 |
Figure in ( ) denotes death
|
