New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised the Swachh Bharat Mission on Thursday, emphasizing its transformative impact on public health in India. He highlighted a recent study showcasing how enhanced sanitation efforts have significantly contributed to reducing infant and child mortality rates.
In a post on X, PM Modi described improved sanitation as a “game-changer” for public health. He expressed his satisfaction with research that underscores the benefits of initiatives like the Swachh Bharat Mission.
“Happy to see research highlighting the impact of efforts like the Swachh Bharat Mission. Access to proper toilets plays a crucial role in reducing infant and child mortality,” the Prime Minister stated on X.
He further added, “Clean, safe sanitation has become a game-changer for public health. And, I am glad India has taken the lead in this.”
The Prime Minister shared a research paper titled “Toilet Construction under the Swachh Bharat Mission and Infant Mortality in India,” published in the prestigious British scientific journal ‘Nature.’ This report details the significant rise in toilet construction following the launch of the Swachh Bharat Mission in 2014.
The study observed a marked decline in infant and child mortality rates during the post-Swachh Bharat Mission period compared to the years before its implementation. It attributed these improvements to the widespread construction of toilets across India.
The Swachh Bharat Mission, which began on October 2, 2014, aims to eliminate open defecation and enhance solid waste management throughout the country.
According to the report, the large-scale provision of toilets under the mission may have prevented approximately 60,000 to 70,000 infant deaths annually. It also noted that similar sanitation programs could offer significant health benefits in other low and middle-income countries.
This endorsement from PM Modi highlights the Swachh Bharat Mission’s success in making a profound impact on India’s public health landscape, marking a significant step forward in sanitation and hygiene.