PGI Building Community Leadership in Rural Punjab to Tackle Water, Sanitation and Environmental Issues

By 121 News

Chandigarh 21^st April:-  School of Public Health, PGI, Chandigarh in collaboration with University of Utah (UoU) and Mehar Baba Charitable Trust (MBCT) is working to improve the health and livelihood of nine villages in Fatehgarh Sahib District under Bassi Pathana Community Collaborative Development Project (BPCCDP). Under the BPCCDP initiative, water, sanitation and health (WaSH) was identified as a key issue, as it directly affect the health of villagers and specially children under 5 years. Further, Access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation are essential for human health, life and dignity. Availability of better water, sanitation and health (WaSH) will prevent million of people, who suffer from water borne diseases like diarrhea, typhoid, cholera and Hepatitis A virus. Hence, BPCCDP aim to engage community to build leadership and enable them to overcome the challenges faces by them.

People participation considered as a key strategies to improve healthcare services. Considering this, under the chairmanship of Dr. Ravindra Khaiwal, Assistant Professor of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, PGI, Chandigarh, it was decided to formulate Village Water and Sanitation Committee in nine villages of Fatehgarh Sahib District as a pilot study. Establishing active Village Water and Sanitation Committee will help to improve the water, sanitation and health (WaSH) situation in villages and to reduce the water borne diseases in the rural communities. Village Water and Sanitation Committee consist of 6-12 persons and comprises of both elected and non-elected members (e.g. ANM, ASHA, AWW).

The public meeting in village Fatehgarh Niuwan was chaired by Dr. Ravindra Khaiwal and he highlighted that when community set their priorities and needs, they are more likely to be sustainable and acceptable. Further, Dr. Khaiwal mentioned that Government of India has initiated various schemes including Swachh Bharat Abhiyan at national and state level to provide safe drinking water, improved sanitation and to promote environmental sustainability. The formulation of Village Water and Sanitation Committee will build the capacity of rural communities for better implementation of various Government of India scheme and to improve the quality of life including the promotion of ecological villages.