Fayzobod District, Tajikistan, October 14, 2024. The International Public Organisation “Equitable Development” (Equidev), with funding from the Government of Switzerland and in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Social Protection of the Population of Tajikistan, celebrated the inauguration of a new Decentralised Wastewater Treatment System (DEWATS) in Fayzobod District. Constructed at the Rural District Hospital, this eco-friendly system treats up to 15.7 cubic meters of wastewater daily, providing a sustainable, localized solution that improves sanitation for over 45,000 people, including hospital staff, patients, outpatients, and visitors.
Rural healthcare facilities across Tajikistan face significant challenges in managing wastewater, which, when untreated, impacts both public health and the environment. According to the World Bank WASH 2017 assessment (https://rb.gy/ffkot), only 18.2 percent of people in small towns and a mere 0.2 percent in rural areas have access to sewer-based sanitation infrastructure.
The DEWATS construction in Fayzobod District provides a sustainable approach to wastewater management, contributing to improved healthcare infrastructure and a cleaner, healthier environment.
Equidev, in collaboration with BORDA and Oxfam Consults, is implementing the larger “Building Knowledge and Awareness on Sustainable Sanitation Solutions” project, which includes the DEWATS construction.
“Through this project, Switzerland is playing a key role in achieving SDG 6 in Tajikistan—ensuring clean water and sanitation for all. By investing in innovative sanitation solutions, we are building a healthier and more resilient environment for the future, highlighted Ms. Franziska Vögtli, Deputy Country Director of the Swiss Cooperation Office in Tajikistan.
In addition to the construction, hospital staff and health workers received training in health and hygiene promotion, as well as in the operation and maintenance of the system. Essential tools and uniforms equipped the staff, enabling them to uphold high sanitation standards and guarantee the long-term success of the DEWATS.
The inauguration ceremony concluded with a guided tour of the DEWATS facility, allowing government and healthcare representatives to observe its innovative design and practical benefits firsthand.
Equidev remains dedicated to promoting sustainable health and sanitation solutions in Tajikistan’s rural regions. For more information on Equidev’s work or to support future projects, please visit https://equidev.info/.
Activities of Switzerland in Tajikistan: www.eda.admin.ch/tajikistan
