Impacts of ORDA CBM Partnership in SekotaPrison

                  Eliminating Blinding Trachoma4

Trachoma is a disease of the eye caused by infection with the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis. According to World Health Organization (WHO), it is a public health problem for many developing countries, and is responsible for the visual impairment of about 1.9 million people and blindness from trachoma. Ethiopia is one of which has high trachoma prevalence.

ORDA in partnership with CBM Germany has been implementing Amhara Trachoma Control Program III (ATCP) from January 2020 to December 2023 in Sekota town, Dehana, Ziquala, and Abergellie districts of Waghemra zone, Amhara region. It is striving to contribute to the national elimination of trachoma and the improvement of quality of life of persons with disabilities.

Construction of safe water scheme near Sekota prison officewas an eye opener. The prison has been serving as correctional center for many criminals, but there was a serious water shortage. And the hygiene and sanitation practices of prisoners were in a complex situation. ORDA dug out a shallow well to residents near the Sekota prison that makes the prison community advantageous to getting safe water.ORDA in partnership with CBM has constructed a shallow well which is pumped by power generator andserves for 8 hundred prisoners and office staff.

Chief of Police OfficerAtoAyalewmolla is a staff member of the prison house. He says “Previously, we used to fetch water from a distant shallow well. Can you imagine how it was difficult to fulfill water needs and the hygiene and sanitation practices of prisoners? Now we are so grateful to ORDA and CBM. We have got safe water for drinking, cooking & washing.”

The project has planned to create access of safe water for more residents in the remaining project periodwhich has an ultimatum goal of reducing the prevalence of active trachoma and bring about better hygiene and sanitation practices in those intervention woredas.


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