Dimapur, November 22 (MExN): NISHTHA, the flagship health system strengthening project supported by the US Agency for International Development (USAID) renewed its commitment to support the state of Nagaland in the promotion of safe water and sanitation practices.
“Leveraging the Health and Wellness Centres platform under Ayushman Bharat, USAID’s NISHTHA programme will continue to promote and educate communities on the importance of using toilets and following proper sanitation practices,” it said in a press release on Monday. The project is implemented by Jhpiego, in partnership with Unilever.
Highlighting USAID’s support to the state of Nagaland during the commemoration of World Toilet Day on November 18, Veena Reddy, Mission Director for USAID/India said, “As a health system strengthening programme, USAID’s NISHTHA project is working with the Nagaland government to improve availability of safe and hygienic sanitation systems in primary healthcare facilities to raise the overall standard of care. We believe that access to clean water and sanitation, along with good hygiene practices and the ability to effectively manage water resources, are key to promoting sustained sanitation behaviours, and keeping people and communities healthy.”
USAID partners with the Government of India to create healthier communities by increasing access to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene services. These services, particularly in primary healthcare settings, are critical to improving health outcomes at the community level and achieving the health system strengthening outcomes of equity, quality, and resource optimization, the release stated.
On the occasion, Nagaland Minister of Health and Family Welfare S Pangnyu Phom also emphasised on the USAID-NISHTHA and Unilever’s support to the state for promoting healthy hygiene behaviours. “Our experience shows that community participation led by information sharing; awareness building and on-ground activities can help motivate and generate civic sense for increased usage of toilets. Collaborative approach between government, civil society and the private sector is essential to ensure safe and sustainable sanitation,” the release quoted him as saying.
The state of Nagaland has a strong community mobilization programme for the rural water supply and sanitation system. Further, Health and Wellness Centers across the state are also playing a key role in educating the communities about the importance of sanitation and its linkage to good health. Recently, rural Nagaland was declared Open Defecation Free (ODF) by the Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM), it added.
With the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbating many sanitation challenges, given the burden on the health systems and the growing population, the release also noted that multi-stakeholder collaborations and private sector engagement assume an important role in providing market knowledge and recommendations on enhancing hand hygiene and strengthening WASH facilities.
