New Delhi: The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) has initiated the Safai Apnao, Bimaari Bhagao (SABB) initiative to assist Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) in better preparing for the upcoming monsoon season. The initiative will run from 1 July to 31 August 2024, a PIB press release stated.
The Safai Apnao, Bimaari Bhagao initiative is part of the ‘STOP Diarrhoea Campaign’ of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. The campaign focuses on the prevention of diarrhoea and emphasises the need for better sanitation and cleanliness conditions during the monsoon season. The initiative requires cooperation among various departments and inter-sectoral convergence for the development of comprehensive interventions. The key elements of the campaign include the organization of special cleanliness drives for waste collection and transportation, as well as the regular cleaning of all community and public toilets.
It will also focus on improving the sanitation and hygiene facilities for children and ensuring the adequate sampling of water quality. The initiative will also provide an opportunity for the identification of high-risk areas. It will also provide an opportunity for the identification of high-risk areas, the adoption of the Protect Prevent Treat Strategy (PPTS), and coordination and monitoring. The initiative seeks to ensure that all ULBs are well-equipped to handle the challenges posed by heavy rainfall and heightened health risks during the months of June to August. The pre-monsoon and monsoon preparedness activities will include various launching events on Diarrhoea management, drives to ensure visibly higher order of cleanliness, and community engagement and education.