The Hindu Editorial Analysis- 7th April 2025 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC PDF Download

Health and sanitation as the pillars of a healthy India

Why in News?

 On this World Health Day (April 7), nations are reflecting on what makes humans well. India has a strong message: health and sanitation go hand in hand, like two sides of the same coin. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has started a big change in sanitation and water that is not just about how we live but also about how we thrive. 

 Rural Missions That Made a Difference 

 The Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) Grameen and Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) have been crucial in changing modern India. These programs are not just about toilets and tap water; they signify a deeper shift in the nation’s core values, representing dignity, equity, and health. 

 Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) 

Launch and Impact

•  Launched by Prime Minister Modi in 2014 from the Red Fort, SBM sparked a Jan Andolan (people's movement) focused on behavioral change and inter-generational equity. 
• 2019. India declared itself Open Defecation Free (ODF), achieving this milestone 11 years ahead of the target. 

Health and Environmental Benefits

Impact

• Diarrhoeal Deaths Averted:. lakh deaths avoided (2014-2019), as per WHO report. 
• Child Health: 58% higher cases of wasting in non-ODF areas (Gates Foundation, 2017). 
• Women’s Safety: 93% of women felt safer with toilets at home (UNICEF, 2017). 
• Groundwater Contamination: 12.7 times less likely in ODF villages, ensuring long-term health resilience. 
• Child Death Prevention: 60,000-70,000 child deaths prevented annually (Nature, 2024). 

 Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) 

Mission Launch and Vision

•  Launched in 2019 to provide clean drinking water to every rural household via a tap connection. 
•  It’s an investment in human potential with profound socio-economic impacts. 

Health and Socio-Economic Impact

• Infant Deaths Prevention: 30% reduction in infant deaths with access to safe drinking water (Dr. Michael Kremer). 
• Child Deaths Prevention: 1.36 lakh child deaths (under five) can be prevented with universal tap coverage. 
• Diarrhoeal Deaths Averted:. lakh diarrhoeal deaths prevented with safe drinking water at home (WHO estimates). 
• Time Saved by Women: 5.5 crore hours saved daily by women who no longer have to fetch water. 

Economic Impact

•  Increased participation of women in agriculture and allied activities (State Bank of India research). 

Sujal and Swachh Gaon Campaign

The Sujal and Swachh Gaon Campaign focuses on the integration of water, sanitation, and hygiene at the village level to improve public health. Thousands of villages have been declared Swachh Sujal, marking a significant milestone in holistic public health transformation.

Economic and Health Benefits for Rural Households

• Reduced Health Expenditure: Improved sanitation and water access lead to lower out-of-pocket healthcare costs for rural families.
• Preventive Healthcare: The emphasis on water, sanitation, and hygiene strengthens the preventive healthcare model, enhancing the overall health of communities.

Sanitation and Water: The Foundation of Public Health

• First Line of Defence: Sanitation and water serve as an invisible shield protecting communities from disease, women from indignity, and children from lost opportunities.
• Impact on National Health:. healthy nation is a productive nation, and a clean nation is a resilient one.
• Tap Water Connections: Over 80% of India’s rural households now have tap water connections.
• Open Defecation Free (ODF) Status: More than 96% of villages have been declared ODF Plus.
• Waste Management Systems:
  • 5.07 lakh villages have solid waste management systems.
  • 5.23 lakh villages have liquid waste management systems in place.

Empowering Women in Sanitation and Water

• Role of Women: Women are not just beneficiaries but also water testers, sanitation entrepreneurs, and local leaders.
• Training and Leadership:
  • Over 2.48 million women trained to test water quality.
  • Women-led Self-Help Groups manage sanitation assets, recycling centres, and even sanitary napkin production.

The Vision of a Viksit Bharat (Developed India)

• No Child Misses School: Ensuring no child misses school due to lack of water.
• No Woman Carries Water: Eliminating the need for women to walk miles with a pot on their head.
• No Preventable Illness: Aiming for no family to lose a loved one to preventable illness.

Linking Health, Dignity, and the Sanitation Chain

• Sanitation Link
• Impact
• Toilets
• Privacy and dignity for individuals, especially women.
• Clean Water
• Brings opportunity, reduces waterborne diseases, and empowers communities.
• Waste Management
• Protects the environment and improves overall public health.
• The Journey to Health: The journey to health is ultimately the journey to dignity.
• Collaboration for Success: Emphasizing the importance of inter-ministerial collaboration for sustained success.

It is about convergence

• Health as a Collective Responsibility: Health outcomes result from collaborative efforts across sectors like water, sanitation, nutrition, education, and rural development.
• Global Model: India’s approach offers global solutions, especially for the Global South.
• Innovations and Technology:
  • Real-time dashboards to track progress and ensure transparency.
  • GOBARdhan biogas plants promoting clean energy and waste management.
  • Plastic waste management units focused on recycling and sustainability.
• Investment in WASH: Every rupee invested in Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) yields significant returns in health, productivity, gender equity, and environmental sustainability.

 Conclusion 

 India is dedicated to advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. This World Health Day, it is crucial to recognize that good health begins not in hospitals, but in homes with access to clean water, safe sanitation, and a shared resolve. As we progress, India remains committed to sharing its journey, collaborating globally, and co-creating a cleaner, healthier, and more resilient world.