A recent study has found that the Swachh Bharat Mission, launched by the Narendra Modi government in 2014, has likely averted 60,000-70,000 infant deaths annually. The study, conducted by researchers from the International Food Policy Research Institute (US), analyzed data from nationally representative surveys across 35 states and union territories from 2000 to 2020.
The study found that an improvement in district-level toilet access by 10% points corresponded to a reduction of death rates in infants by 0.9 points and those below five years of age by 1.1 points. The authors concluded that having access to a toilet and deaths among children have been inversely related in India, with improvement in toilet coverage by 30% or more in a district corresponding with substantial reductions in infant and child deaths.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has hailed the report, stating that access to proper toilets plays a crucial role in reducing infant and child mortality. He added that clean, safe sanitation has become a game-changer for public health and that India has taken the lead in this area.
The study's findings are consistent with evidence from global and South Asian contexts, showing that improved sanitation can potentially cut child mortality rates by 5-30%. The report also highlights the broader benefits of increased access to toilets, including women's safety, financial savings due to reduced medical expenses, and improved quality of life overall.
However, the study also notes that inequalities in adopting and using toilets exist due to caste and religion-based discriminatory practices. The authors warn that local authorities resort to coercive measures and discrimination to meet campaign targets, which violates individuals' rights, particularly those of manual scavengers and people from lower-caste backgrounds.
Overall, the study suggests that the Swachh Bharat Mission has had a significant impact on reducing infant mortality rates in India and highlights the need for similar interventions in other low- and middle-income countries.
Source ;- Hindustan Times