From Benny George, Department of Drinking Water Supply, Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India, New Delhi
Posted 19 July 2007

I work as a Consultant (Monitoring and Evaluation) with the Department of Drinking Water Supply, Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India. As you are aware, the Department is implementing a number of programmes for ensuring the supply of safe drinking water and proper sanitation facilities in rural areas of India. According to the latest estimates, sanitation coverage in India has reached 44 per cent. Total Sanitation Campaign (TSC), implemented by the Department, aims to achieve full sanitation coverage by 2012, well ahead of the targets set under MDG 7. The Nirmal Gram Puraskar has given a fillip to achieving open defecation free status and some states like Mizoram, Sikkim and Tripura are on the verge of achieving full sanitation coverage.

We are interested in understanding the health outcomes of eradicating open defecation, on which a couple of micro studies (covering a few Gram Panchayats or maximum one Block) are available in the public domain. In this context, I request the Solution Exchange Water Community to share the following:

• References / similar studies carried out in any part of India (or other countries) which clearly outline the health impacts of eradication of open defecation.
• Suggested indicators (along with sources of data) for measuring such impacts.
• Experiences and observations of members from the field on health impacts of improved sanitation.

Members’ inputs will help us in monitoring and designing the impact of the programme better and will be greatly appreciated.

Please see attachment below for the responses.