The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) has initiated the Safai Apnao, Bimaari Bhagao (SABB)initiative, aimed at assisting Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) in better preparing for the upcoming monsoon season. This initiative, running from July 1 to August 31, 2024, is a proactive step to address the heightened health risks and sanitation challenges that typically arise during the monsoon months.
Key Objectives of the SABB Initiative:
- Part of the STOP Diarrhoea Campaign: The SABB initiative is a component of the broader ‘STOP Diarrhoea Campaign’ led by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. This campaign focuses on preventing diarrhoeal diseases, which are often exacerbated by poor sanitation and water quality during the monsoon.
- Comprehensive Sanitation and Cleanliness Efforts: The initiative emphasizes the need for inter-departmental cooperation and inter-sectoral convergence to develop comprehensive interventions. Key activities include special cleanliness drives, waste collection and transportation efforts, and the regular cleaning of community and public toilets.
- Focus on Children’s Health and Water Quality: Improving sanitation and hygiene facilities for children and ensuring the adequate sampling of water quality are critical components of the initiative. By focusing on these areas, the initiative aims to prevent the spread of waterborne diseases, which are common during the monsoon season.
- Identification of High-Risk Areas: The initiative also provides an opportunity to identify high-risk areas that may be more vulnerable to health risks during the monsoon. It promotes the adoption of the Protect Prevent Treat Strategy (PPTS) to manage these risks effectively.
- Pre-Monsoon and Monsoon Preparedness Activities: The SABB initiative includes a variety of pre-monsoon and monsoon preparedness activities. These include launching events focused on diarrhoea management, cleanliness drives to achieve a visibly higher standard of sanitation, and community engagement and education efforts.
This initiative by MoHUA underscores the importance of proactive measures in managing the challenges posed by the monsoon season, particularly in urban areas where the risk of health crises due to poor sanitation and flooding is higher. The coordinated efforts under the SABB initiative aim to enhance the capacity of ULBs to protect public health and ensure cleanliness during this critical period.
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