IMPACT OF SANITATION PROGRAMS IN ENHANCING RURAL HEALTH IN INDIA

Abstract

Sanitation problem is receiving considerable attention worldwide, all the countries are struggling to achieve universal sanitation i.e. access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation services. This has been identified as one of the key targets by Millennium Development Goals, (UN 2000). Further, the control of all those factors in man which harms the physical environment needs to be given more emphasis to bring about health, alleviating poverty, enhancing quality of life and rising productivity, all of which are essential for sustainable development (WHO 1992). It’s estimated that 833 million people continue to live in rural India (Census 2011). In a developing country like India where millions lack access to basic water and sanitation services introduction of integrated rural sanitation  strategy has become indisputably part of the development agenda of sanitation  programs. Poor sanitation, hygiene, quality and quantity of water form some of the reasons behind more than 80% of reported cases of infectious diseases in India. In this paper we analyze various sanitation programs that are impacting people’s health. It’s evident that the impact of poor sanitation is enormous and the illumination of this paper will suggest certain policy implications for effective sanitation efforts, in order to redeem losses incurred due to insanitation.