Swachh Bharat Abhiyan and WASH Interventions

Introduction

Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (Clean India Mission) launched on 2nd October 2014 by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi as a nationwide campaign to achieve “Swachh Bharat” by 2019 (Gandhi Jayanti 150th birth anniversary)
Flagship program of Ministry of Jal Shakti (formerly Ministry of Drinking Water & Sanitation) and Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs
Two components: Swachh Bharat Mission-Gramin (rural) and Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban
Phase-II (2020–2025) focuses on sustainability, ODF+ & ODF++ villages, solid & liquid waste management, and behavioral change
WASH: Integrated Water, Sanitation and Hygiene strategy recognized by WHO/UNICEF as key determinant of child health & survival

Eliminate open defecation (ODF status)
Improve access to safe drinking water, sanitation facilities & hand hygiene
Reduce under-5 morbidity & mortality due to diarrhea, pneumonia, soil-transmitted helminths & environmental enteropathy
Break fecal-oral transmission cycle → decrease stunting, wasting & micronutrient deficiencies
Achieve SDG 6 (Clean Water & Sanitation) targets with focus on equity for children

Construction of Individual Household Latrines (IHHL): >11 crore toilets built; twin-pit design for safe disposal
Community Sanitary Complexes & School/ Anganwadi Toilets
Solid & Liquid Waste Management: Biodegradable waste composting, plastic waste management, greywater treatment
Behavior Change Communication (BCC): Community-led total sanitation (CLTS), triggering, Swachhata Hi Seva campaigns, involvement of ASHA, AWW & school children
Swachh Bharat Mission 2.0 (2021 onwards): Focus on ODF sustainability, waste-to-wealth, circular economy & GOBARdhan (Galvanizing Organic Bio-Agro Resources-Dhan)

Water: Safe drinking water sources (Jal Jeevan Mission linkage), household water treatment (chlorination, filters), rainwater harvesting
Sanitation: Improved latrines with handwashing stations, menstrual hygiene management (MHM) in schools
Hygiene Promotion:
- Handwashing with soap at 5 critical times (after defecation, before eating, before cooking, after cleaning child, after handling animals)
- Safe disposal of child feces (diaper pits, potty use)
- Personal hygiene, bathing, nail cutting
Environmental Hygiene: Safe disposal of animal excreta, fly control, clean surroundings
School WASH (Swachh Vidyalaya): Functional toilets, handwashing facilities, daily cleaning, hygiene education in curriculum

IMNCI & HBNC: WASH messages in home visits, diarrhea management (ORS + zinc + handwashing)
POSHAN Abhiyaan & Anemia Mukt Bharat: Reduction of environmental enteropathy → better nutrient absorption
National Deworming Day & Vitamin A Supplementation: Synergistic effect with sanitation
MCP Card & VHSND: WASH counselling integrated at every contact point
Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK): Screening for sanitation-related morbidities

Diarrheal deaths in under-5 reduced by >50% post-2014 (NFHS-5 data)
Stunting prevalence decline (NFHS-4 38.4% → NFHS-5 35.5%)
Improved immunization uptake & growth monitoring due to better health-seeking
Long-term: Reduced cognitive impairment, school absenteeism & improved learning outcomes

Monitoring: Swachh Bharat App, ODF verification, SBM dashboard, third-party audits
Challenges: Sustaining behavior change, slippage in ODF villages, urban slums, climate change effects on water
Current Focus (2024–25): ODF sustainability, plastic-free India, waste segregation at source, Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0 linkage
Future: Integration with One Health approach, climate-resilient WASH & continued pediatrician advocacy at community level