Tanzania (2026 until 2027)
Water for health in Tanzania
Background
In Tanzania, many health facilities struggle with inadequate access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services (see photo above showing the condition before the project began). National reports indicate that a significant proportion of health facilities either have no reliable water source or rely on an unsafe and inconsistent supply. This situation not only affects daily operations but also poses a serious risk to patients and medical staff.
In addition to quantitative water scarcity, there are also problems with water quality. Contaminated water at collection points poses a significant health risk. A lack of handwashing infrastructure and inadequate sanitation facilities further exacerbate hygiene deficiencies. These circumstances make it difficult for healthcare workers to maintain proper hygiene practices and increase the risk of infection and the spread of infectious diseases such as cholera, typhoid, and diarrhea within the facilities.
The negative effects of these conditions are far-reaching. Vulnerable groups such as pregnant women, newborns, and immunocompromised individuals are at increased risk of infection. In addition, inadequate WASH facilities undermine public confidence in health services, which may discourage people from seeking medical help when needed.
In 2025, WasserStiftung and its Tanzanian partner MSABI are conducting a pilot project to successfully restore the water supply to five health centers. During the pilot project, a great need for a large number of additional health centers was identified. Together with the Tanzanian partner, a survey was conducted to examine the problem throughout the district. Based on the survey and the experience gained from the pilot project, the initiative is to be expanded on a large scale in 2026 through the present project.
Project location
The project is being implemented in the Kilombero district of the Morogoro region in southwestern Tanzania and is being carried out in close cooperation with the local authorities of the Kilombero district.
Project objective
To establish reliable access to safe water for health centers in order to improve patient care, hygiene practices, and sustainable water management, thereby curbing the spread of infectious diseases.
Project activities
To achieve these objectives, the following project activities, among others, are being carried out:
- Installation of new water points (well drilling) or rehabilitation of disused/defective water access points at a total of 14 health centers;
- Installation of water storage tanks with a capacity of 5,000 liters at all health centers;
- Installation of hand washing facilities;
- Training of staff at all facilities in their tasks and responsibilities for maintaining the WASH infrastructure;
- Provision of locally manufactured water filters (ceramic water filters) to ensure the supply of safe drinking water;
- Development and use of information and educational materials (e.g., manuals, flyers, booklets, posters, demonstration materials, and T-shirts with MHM messages) that convey key information about menstrual hygiene,
- Conducting a final impact assessment to systematically record knowledge gains, changes in school attendance, and feedback from participants.
Project beneficiaries
The project directly benefits all individuals treated at the selected health facilities in the project area. On average, approximately 100 to 200 patients are treated per day. Healthcare workers will also benefit from safer working conditions and access to clean water, which will improve their ability to provide high-quality care.
Local partner organization
MSABI is an established organization implementing WASH projects in rural areas of Tanzania and has been working to improve the health and well-being of the rural population since 2009. The organization is registered as a non-governmental organization and has already carried out numerous projects with the WasserStiftung. All measures are tailored to local conditions and are designed and implemented in close consultation with partners and project beneficiaries.
