What is Sanitation?

Sanitation is the hygienic means of promoting health through prevention of human contact with the hazards of wastes as well as the treatment and proper disposal of sewage wastewater. Sanitation generally refers to the provision of facilities and services for the safe disposal of human urine and faeces. The word 'sanitation' also refers to the maintenance of hygienic conditions, through services such as garbage collection and wastewater disposal.

Effects of poor sanitation

The problem is at its worst in villages, where proper sanitation is not available. Villagers defecate in the open, on dry river beds, railway tracks, fields and even directly in water. This causes water and soil pollution. Moreover, it contaminates and affects ground water as well as surface water, resulting in diseases such as cholera, typhoid, polio, meningitis, hepatitis and dysentery.

What is Hygiene?

Hygiene refers to conditions and practices that help to maintain health and prevent the spread of diseases. Medical hygiene therefore includes a specific set of practices associated with this preservation of health, for example environmental cleaning, sterilization of equipment, hand hygiene, water and sanitation and safe disposal of medical waste.

Individual Hygiene
To take care of all body parts includes in individual hygiene. The following rules of personal hygiene are basic health guidelines that everyone must observe in order to remain a combat effective soldier. 1. Always keep the body clean. 2. Clean cloths 3. Exercise 4. Good habits 5. Awareness regarding diet and health

Types of Hygiene?

Excreta disposal Waste Management Water and Food Health services

Excreta Disposal
Human excreta always contain large numbers of germs. When people defecate in the open, flies will feed on the excreta and can carry small amounts of the excreta away on their bodies and feet. When they touch food, the excreta and the germs in the excreta are passed onto the food, which may later be eaten by another person. Some germs can grow on food and in a few hours their numbers can increase very quickly. During the rainy season, excreta may be washed away by rainwater and can run into wells and streams. Safety Measures: Build toilets in each house Avoid defecation in open Wash hands before and after defecation Do not throw human waste in open drain Do not go with bare feet in toilets After urination throw water Keep clean toilets

Waste Management

The disposal of refuse can have a significant effect on the health of communities. Where refuse is not disposed of properly, it can lead to pollution of surface water, as rain washes refuse into rivers and streams. Refuse disposed of in storm drains may cause blockages and encourage fly and mosquito breeding. It is therefore very important that household waste is disposed of properly.

Safe disposal of waste Close dustbin after disposal of waste Throw in dustbin only

Maintenance of Water Quality

Water is life In India, nearly 15 lakh children died due to drinking of polluted water in each year. Steps to maintain the purity of water: Filter the water Boil water Use chlorine tablets Do not deep hands in water sources

Health Services

Health care facilities should be available in village Health services include all services dealing with the diagnosis and treatment of disease, or the promotion, maintenance and restoration of health. They include personal and non-personal health services. Health services are the most visible functions of any health system, both to users and the general public.

Message for public

Health and hygiene messages may be passed on to the public using such posters in public places. These messages should include the promotion of : Handwashing. Use of refuse bins. Care of toilet facilities. Protection of water supplies.

Act Now

Make sanitation a priority Create network Ensure community involvement Promoting safe and hygienic practices Pay attention to the needs of women Make sanitation programmes a priority Provide access to sanitation during crises Gather and share information

Mahatma Gandhi, the Father of the Nation, said that India is in villages. If villages perish, India perishes.