Zambia has long battled recurrent cholera outbreaks, with one of the worst epidemics in decades recorded between October 2023 and early 2024, resulting in 22,000 cases. This devastating disease, which claims 140,000 lives globally every year, is largely preventable through improved hygiene practices and innovations.
Scholar Kachinga Silwimba believes he has a solution: a foot-flushing mechanism for toilets. This innovative design, which allows users to flush toilets using their feet rather than their hands, could drastically reduce the spread of germs.
A Game-Changing Idea
Silwimba, a physics graduate from Copperbelt University, developed the idea as part of his undergraduate thesis titled Automatic Toilet-Valve Releasing Mechanism. His work builds on the principle of foot-operated hand-wash sinks, which gained popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Diseases caused through contact with contaminated hand devices can be reduced if we limit hand use,” Silwimba explains. “This mechanism, which uses body weight to flush by stepping on a pedal, provides a hygienic alternative.”
Why a Foot-Flush Mechanism?
Traditional hand-flush toilets can act as vectors for disease transmission, particularly in communal settings where sanitation facilities are shared. The foot-flush mechanism minimizes direct hand contact with potentially contaminated surfaces, curbing the spread of cholera and other hygiene-related diseases.
Silwimba envisions the innovation being both affordable and low-maintenance, making it accessible for widespread use. “The cost is mainly in production, and it doesn’t require regular maintenance,” he says.
Global Precedence
While the concept might sound novel in Zambia, foot-flush mechanisms are already in use in countries like the United States. A 2013 Bloomberg study revealed that 64% of Americans preferred foot-flushing toilets over hand-operated ones.
Such systems align with the historical evolution of toilet technology, which has continuously aimed to improve hygiene. The modern flush toilet itself was patented in 1775 by Scottish inventor Alexander Cumming, who introduced the S-shaped pipe to seal off sewer gases.
Challenges and Opportunities
Despite the promise of this innovation, Silwimba faces challenges in finding sponsorship to bring his idea to life. Currently based in Boise, Idaho, USA, he remains optimistic. “I would love to see this turn into reality. It was born out of the cholera outbreaks we’ve been facing in Zambia. We asked ourselves, ‘How can we solve this?’”
A Step Toward Healthier Communities
The implementation of a foot-flushing mechanism in Zambia could mark a turning point in the country’s fight against cholera. By adopting innovative solutions like Silwimba’s design, the nation could enhance public health and reduce the burden of preventable diseases.
This innovation isn’t just about flushing toilets differently—it’s about flushing away the conditions that perpetuate disease outbreaks. With the right support, this idea could transform sanitation in Zambia and set an example for other countries grappling with similar challenges.
