Health & Hygiene

SULABH MOVEMENT RESTORING HUMAN RIGHTS

With a view to achieving health care in totality, only treatment of diseases is not enough. Sulabh has initiated an integrated health care approach under one umbrella. emphasis has been given on yoga, use of herbs & plants and healthy habits and change in attitude towards health and sanitation. It covers, directly or indirectly, all aspects related to health, such as check-up, immunisation, preinatal care, family planning services, safe food, safe drinking water, safe environmental sanitation, health education, etc. In such a way that all these become readily available and affordable by recipients through self-sustainable management.

OPD Service at Health Centre, Sulabh Complex, Hari Nagar, New Delhi

Presently, about two billions people (about a third of the world's population) are without adequate basic sanitation facilities and by 2000 AD there will be three billion such people. Starting way back in 1970, the Sulabh Shauchalaya Sansthan, now known as Sulabh International Social Service Organisation, has come a long way with its branches working in 1176 towns in 338 districts, spread over 29 states. All this could only be achieved due to the untiring efforts of Dr. Pathak, Ph. D., D.Litt. - an internationally acclaimed sociologist and expert on low-cost sanitation and biogas. He is the guiding force and spirit behind the Sulabh movement.

In Delhi, with a population of about 1crore plus a sizeable floating population, Sulabh International is catering to the needs of the poor and slum dwellers. Sulabh toilets complexes not only provide better sanitation environment, but they also play a major role in prevention of diseases.

Dr. Nath examining patients at Ideal Health Centre, Sulabh Complex, Hari Nagar, New Delhi

Sulabh International has successfully commissioned 338 Sulabh units in and around Delhi and about 100 more are under construction. Health care facilities are not adequate in slums. Slum dwellers have to face long queues in hospitals, getting minimum benefits with great financial strain. Besides, they do not have proper knowledge and awareness about health care and diseases.

It is with this view in mind that Sulabh International has launched an extended programme, giving it a new dimension,. Besides existing facilities of education, vocational training and rehabilitation of Balmikis, etc; it is going to provide health care for poor and slum dwellers in a big way, which will run in the already existing Sulabh Toilet Complexes.

Concept of Sulabh Happy Home

Thus, Sulabh Toilet Complexes will turn into a Sulabh Happy Home which will not only provide toilet facilities, but also a Health care Centre for poor slumdwellers at a nominal price, covering the cost of medical examination, medicines, etc. it will also provide free immunisation service to children and pregnant women and "free family planning service" to eligible couples, who want to practise small family norms.

Manual on "Women & Sanitation" in Telugu/English released by Shri C.B. Naidu, Hon'ble Chief  Minister of Andra Pradesh

In view of the magnitute of problem, "Sulabh integrated Health Care System" future strategies have been planned as follows :

1. To incorporate rooms for Health Centre in the building design of Sulabh Complex before hand, so that extra expenditure can be saved.
   
2. To develop 25 "Sulabh model health care centres" in 25 Sulabh Complexes each year in Delhi and to develop one such Healths Centre in Sulabh Complex in each District Headquarter.

   The benefits and merits of such health centre have been appreciated by many individuals and organisations. Secretary to Governor, Manipur and Dr. Dr. K. Rao from Hyderabad and many others states are planning to introduce this model in their areas.

3. To develop a "Sulabh Model of Multipurpose Medicare Van" designed by Dr. S. Nath, Medical Director, Sulabh. It contains pathological unit, refrigerated vaccine chamber with routine and emergency drug storage facilities. It is operated both by electricity and autocut generator. Additional arrangement can be made for T.V. cassette shows and slide projections.

   Sulabh Multipurpose Medical Van (SMMV) (1) Med. exam. & treatment chamber (2) Pathological Laboratory (3) Refrigerated Vaccine Chamber

4. To develop a chain of "model health village cum integrated development project" in a village close to the State Headquater.
   
5. To raise a force of "voluntry blood donors" of 1000 persons each year. Already 650 voluntary blood donors have been tested from Sulabh Family, urban slum and Model Health Village.
   
6. To introduce practice of yoga and use of herbs and plants in school & health centres.
   
7. To develop better interaction with Government and NGOs in implementation of various programmes. In view of inadequate health care in our country, Sulabh International, a voluntry non-profit social service organisation, founded by Dr. Bindeshwar Pathak, Ph. D. D.Litt., has evolved an alternative medicare system called Sulabh Integrated Health Care Model. In a short span of 3 years, it is not possible to form a decisive opinion about this programme, but we will march ahead under the banner of Sulabh International and the guidance of its Founder.

   We strongly feel that Sulabh International Social Service Organisation will be most potent and effective voluntry social organisation to implement this innovative Integrated Health Care System throughout the country with its vast infrastructure (with 60,000 man-power covering, 29 states, 338 districts and 1176 towns).

   We will appreciate very much comments, advice and guidance in this methodology which will help us to evolve "A Model Health Care Delivery System" for the common people, specially the slum dwellers and rural folks.

   Medical Director-cum-Chairman,
   Sulabh International Institute of Health & Hygiene,
   Sulabh Bhawan, Mahavir Enclave,
   New Delhi-110 045, (India)
   Tel. : 25031243, 25031518, 25032654;
   Fax : (091-11) 25036122, 25034014