From Benny George, Department of Drinking Water Supply, Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India, New Delhi

Posted 19 July 2007

I work as a Consultant (Monitoring and Evaluation) with the Department of Drinking Water Supply, Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India. As you are aware, the Department is implementing a number of programmes for ensuring the supply of safe drinking water and proper sanitation facilities in rural areas of India. According to the latest estimates, sanitation coverage in India has reached 44 per cent. Total Sanitation Campaign (TSC), implemented by the Department, aims to achieve full sanitation coverage by 2012, well ahead of the targets set under MDG 7. The Nirmal Gram Puraskar has given a fillip to achieving open defecation free status and some states like Mizoram, Sikkim and Tripura are on the verge of achieving full sanitation coverage.

Providing environmentally-safe sanitation to millions of people is a significant challenge, especially in the world’s second most populated country. The task is doubly difficult in a country where the introduction of new technologies can challenge people’s traditions and beliefs.

“Diarrheal disease: Solutions to Defeat a Global Killer”, the research study conducted by PATH to evaluate the global health funding and policy landscape found that diarrheal disease ranked last among a list of other global health issues. Public awareness of this issue is also low, making it difficult to mobilize commitments and resources. In donor countries such as the United States, many are unaware of the burden of diarrheal disease and the existing prevention and treatment options.

“Toilets and More” published by the Department of Drinking Water Supply, Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) in SACOSAN-III November 2008, is a manual about the dissemination in all countries for achieving the common goal of new standards of hygiene, health and empowerment for the people of South Asian Region.  

In 2006, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the World Health Organization (WHO) issued a report highlighting the most common cause of death among children. The purpose was to raise the profile of that neglected disease. This report is written with the intent to focus attention on the prevention and management of diarrhoeal diseases as central to improving child survival.

A “Counting the cost” present about the poor progress in the sanitation sector has serious health implications for South Asia. According to the study 2.5 billion people worldwide live without access to adequate sanitation, one billion in South Asia. Globally, 1.2 billion people practice open defecation, two thirds – 778 million – in South Asia. In Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Pakistan, poor sanitation now stands as a major obstacle in the fight to reduce child mortality.

The case study titled “CDD-WATSAN Project in Ganjam and Kandhamal – An Assessment 1991-96” has been developed and published in 2004 by United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). This paper discusses the Control of Diarrhoea Diseases-Water Sanitation (CDD-WATSAN) project Ganjam and Kandhamal districts in Orissa from 1996 to 1999. A comparison of final impact assessments of the 2 districts is presented in terms of changes in the access to and use of water and sanitary facilities within households and primary schools, and improved hygiene practices and diarrhoea management at home.

The case study titled “CDD-WATSAN Project in Medinipur – An Assessment, 1991-2001” has been developed and published in 2004 by United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). This paper discusses the Control of Diarrhoeal Diseases-Water Sanitation (CDD-WATSAN) project carried out since 1991 in the district of Medinipur, West Bengal. A comparison of three studies — baseline, mid-term review and the final impact assessment — is presented. The key parameters considered were the use of water and sanitary facilities within households and primary schools, and improved hygiene practices at home.