The “Swachh Swasth Sarvatra” campaign has been launched jointly by the Union Health Ministry, Ministry of Drinking Water & Sanitation, and the Ministry of Human Resource Development. The objective of the initiative is to strengthen community health centres in 708 open defecation-free (ODF) blocks across India to help them achieve higher levels of hygiene and cleanliness.
Swachh Swasth Sarvatra Initiative: Key Facts
- The “Swachh Swasth Sarvatra” initiative aims to meet the requirements of the Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation’s Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) and Ministry of Health and Family Welfare’s Kayakalp.
- The initiative also aims to construct toilets and to bring behavioral change.
- Under the initiative, a financial assistance of Rs. 10 lakh will be given to the community health centres located in open defecation-free blocks of the nation to strengthen them to meet the standards of hygiene, sanitation, and infection control.
Swasth Bacche Swasth Bharat (Healthy Children Healthy India) Initiative
- Swasth Bacche Swasth Bharat Initiative has been launched by a collaboration of the Ministry of Human Resource Development, and the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.
- Union HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar and Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda jointly launched a booklet titled “Healthy Children Healthy India”.
- The booklet contains tips on leading a healthy life for children.
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Speaking on the Swachh Swasth Sarvatra Initiative, Shri J.P. Nadda of Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, said that the initiative is an important step for bringing together various government programmes and schemes. He also said that the merger of goals of the Swachh Bharat Initiative with Swachh Swasth Sarvatra initiative a movement from disease treatement to disease prevention by focusing on improving overall health.
Shri Prakash Javadekar of Ministry of Human Resource Development, said that Swachh Bharat is focused on mindset change that does not require any big infrastructural or technological intervention. He also said that educated children will be the best mediators to spread the message of sanitation to their parents, and the Swachh Swasth Sarvatra will create an ODF India by the end of the year 2019.
