Information Board (Sanitation) developed by DPMU, Kamrup (M) District

Information Board developed for Behavioral Change Communication

         District Project Management Unit (DPMU), Kamrup Metro district developed IEC materials for areas under World Bank aided project Neer Nirmal Pariyojana. These IEC MATERIALS are IN form OF INFORMATION BOARDS WHICH mainly targets the communities of all 16 numbers of Gaon Panchayat. The main objective of such Information Boards at GP office and Block Office is to enlighten people on proper usage of toilet, its impact on health and also ensure its usability, make behavioural changes and demand among all; irrespective of age and community.

         Total 18 nos. of such Information Boards were developed and installed in the month of February/ March  2017. One each for all 16 GP offices and one each for two 2 Block Offices namely Chandrapur and Dimoria Block of Kamrup Metro district.

          The message Boards with the information is displayed in local language (ASSAMESE) and the installation was supervised by DPMU Kamrup district specialists in the field.

INFORMATION BOARD DISPLAYED AT KAMARKUCHI GAON PANCHAYAT OFFICE

INFORMATION BOARD DISPLAYED AT SONAPUR GAON PANCHAYAT OFFICE.

INFORMATION BOARD DISPLAYED DURING INTENSIVE COMMUNITY COLLECTION.

INFORMATION BOARD DISPLAYED AT BARKHAT GAON PANCHAYAT

INFORMATION BOARD DISPLAYED AT CHANDRAPUR BLOCK OFFICE

INFORMATION BOARD DISPLAYED DURING CCOT TO INTENSIFY COLLECTION FOR NNP PROJECT

INFORMATION BOARD DISPLAYED AT TETELIA GOAN PANCHAYAT

INFORMATION BOARD DISPLAYED AT PANCHIM MAYONG GAON PANCHAYAT

INFORMATION BOARD DISPLAYED AT AMSING GAON PANCHAYAT OFFICE

Awareness Campaign on Japanese Encephalitis/Acute Encephalitis Syndrome

 BACKDROP:

The most basic need in life is water which saves life and kills life as well. In the context of negative impact of water, Japanese Encephalitis (JE) / Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) which breeds in water logged conditions is a virus that takes birth in the wet paddy and other agricultural field. This virus is transmitted through the bite of infected mosquitoes the main reservoirs of JE virus are pigs & water birds (Ardeidae) and its natural cycle, virus is maintained through certain mosquito species in these animals. Man is an accidental host and does play a role in JE transmission.

Japanese Encephalitis (JE) / Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) have been a major problem in India.  Assam is more vulnerable for JEV infection as compared to other states in India.

 In 2014, large numbers of Japanese encephalitis cases were observed in Assam as compared to other states in India. Maximum numbers of Japanese encephalitis cases were reported from Assam. It shares approximately 46.95% of total Japanese encephalitis (JE) positive cases reported all over the country in 2014

Keeping in view the above facts, PHED has been religiously conducting yearly during monsoon season awareness campaign on JE/ AES

In general, it is quite tangible and evident that consciousness of the people in the aspect of impact of JE/AES is not apparent. People are not truly sanitized about the most meaningful sources (water) of mosquito breeding centers. Environmental sanitation in which polluted water is the cross cutting issue for all hazards. Intensity of hazard leads to high risk and higher degree of vulnerability which, in term, resulting in to a great disaster in the family as well as community as a whole.

Keeping this serious concern in view, the Public Health Engineering Department, Govt. of Assam had decided and directed to launch a weeklong awareness generation programme on the subject of Awareness Drive on Japanese Encephalitis (JE) / Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) scheduled between 25^th-30^th of July’2016.

In accordance with the directive received, by The Office of Executive Engineer Public Health Engineering Div.1, Bamunimaidam. Guwahati sub division, along with site engineers and World Bank Specialists conducted awareness drive among community in Chandrapur and Dimoria block with due cooperation and participation from Gram Panchayat President and Ward members in achieving its objective.

Objectives of the awareness week.

·       Creating attitudinal sift perceived the importance of water, sanitation and its linkage with Japanese Encephalitis (JE).water, sanitation and its linkage with Japanese Encephalitis.

·        Driving behavioral changes in sanitation habits and usage patterns of water for arresting Japanese Encephalitis.

Some Glimpses of the activities from Week long Awareness Campaign on Japanese Encephalitis and Acute Encephalitis Syndrome at Dimoria & Chandrapur Block of Kamrup (Metro) District.

 Awareness programme conducted on JE/ AES Khetri GP Office, at Dimoria Block

Awareness Campaign at Chandrapur block

Distribution of Chemicals for purification of drinking water to the community via boat to the villagers.

CONCLUSION:

·         The Awareness Week was quite comprehensive and positive in a sense that the impact of JE/AES was not seriously known to the affected people. Within the shortest possible time and interruption of monsoon disrupted the movement to a certain extent in some of the remote villages of Kamrup District.  

·          Moreover sincere attempt was made within a given time and was quite encouraging. Being the nodal Department, Public Health Engineering Department, Govt. of Assam has implemented safe drinking water sources with a purpose to create a healthy environment by distributing in the community, chemical packets consisting of admixture of bleaching powder, Alum and Lime in proportion of 1:8:16 and disinfect and purify the drinking water. Information was disseminated to avoid water logging in view of proper drainage system, so that there would be no water logged condition in view of prevention and control of mosquito breeding centre in the village. This Awareness Week was quite useful and needs to be a continuous process.

Convergence Workshop on Sanitation & SLWM

Introduction:

                 A one day non residential District Level convergence workshop was conducted among Community Resource Coordinator, Community Mobilizers and Swacchata Doots at Conference Hall, Public Health Engineering Bamunimaidam, Guwahati, on 15^th of June 2016.  

               The programme was conducted by District Project Management Unit Kamrup Metro in collaboration with Public Health Engineering Department Kamrup and Neer Nirmal Pariyojna, World Bank Project.

 Objective:

There were several objectives of the workshop conducted:

• To give trainee and overall understanding of the importance of Hygienic Sanitation, Open Defecation Free Environment and Solid Liquid Waste Management to get them acquainted to the concept in depth of so that they are able to implement in their community without any hindrances.
• The workshop was relevant to expedite community mobilization and awareness generation for sanitation and SLWM so that objectives can be achieved on a saturation basis at district level and develop a work plan based on matrix which was provided during state convergence workshop.
•   To highlight the need of Open defecation free (ODF) environment, Hygenic Sanitation by sensitization, promotion, and advocacy from dimensions of eco-friendly and clean environment.
•   Participatory learning of the trainee for awareness, development of work plan for their Gram Panchayat and implementation of by each member in the field.
• The community Resource Coordinator, Community Mobilizer and Swacchata Doots will understand each of the activities under the matrix for better implementation to take this mission to greater heights and achieve success.
• Find jointly through discussions and sharing; solutions and overcome any  obstacles  and hence feel  empowered to take responsibility as active members for better implementation   of Sanitation and SLWM and making it Open Defecation free zone.

                  The programme was inaugurated by District Project Manager cum Executive Engineer (PHE) of Kamrup district Shri. N. Uzir in presence of District Project Management Unit, Asst. Executive Engineer, District Sanitation Coordinator, Technical Consultant Sanitation, Site Engineers, Specialists from NNP project and participants.  

                 The workshop was conducted among Community Resource Coordinators, Community Mobilizers and Swacchata Doots. The session was taken by PHED Officials. The training programme started with introduction session District Sanitation Coordinator and gave a session on Sanitation, ODF Mechanism, ODF Verification methods and also went into detail on ODF Strategy with special emphasis on Matrix and the role each member has to play. Since matrix is the crucial part of the plan. Under each heading the time slot to be taken the man power which needs to be in the field for the purpose was also discussed. The activities such as survey work, identifying households without toilet, supervising construction work, training etc were discussed in great length. Each resource person took sessions to give details with the help of Virtual Aid and gave presentation to highlight the need; of ODF environment.  A brief concept was addressed on Solid Liquid Waste Management among participants issues pertaining in the field were discussed at length by the resource person. This session was enlightening for many of the participants and they had many queries in its context.  The sessions were interactive and participatory with ample opportunities for the trainee to come out with their own views and thoughts. Each participant shared expectations from their training and gave their own understanding of ODF, Sanitation and Solid Liquid Waste Management to make the sessions more relevant to their need. The training programme was designed in such a way with key highlights on WASH along with waste management and at the same time need based as responded by attendees.

                   Trainees showed enthusiasm and participated in the programme. Lunch and refreshment was arranged during breaks.  The two day training concluded with oath taking to practice and promote hygiene and stop open defecation completely in the community in public places with special emphasis to educating and practicing of hygiene education.

 Glimpses of District Level Convergence Workshop on Sanitation & SLWM 

District Project Manager Cum Executive Engineer. Shri. N.Uzir addressing  the participant

District  Sanitation Coordinator, Taking session on ODF Mechanism & verification methods.

Session on Solid Liquid Waste Management issues in the field.

Participants watching documentary on good practices on Solid Liquid Waste Management  and engaging in discussion relating to it.

Group Photo of participants at the end of the Workshop