access to safe drinking water: pathway for addressing the ... · addressing the challenge of...
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Access to safe drinking water: Pathway for addressing the challenge of arsenic contamination in water
Arsenic Knowledge and Action Network http://www.arsenicnetwork.in/SaciWATERs, HyderabadManish Maskara, Safa [email protected]
About the network
The issue…• Persistent drinking water quality problem in different
geographies- arsenic- a ‘wicked’ contaminant in around 86 districts in India (CGWB)
• Associated health risks and impacts
The response…• Arsenic Knowledge and Action Network• Mandate: Bring together knowledge and action driven
by a dynamic network of partner organizations and individual members sharing a common vision for systematic and structural changes in arsenic mitigation strategies across India
Arsenic Knowledge and Action NetworkThe Assam experience
• A few Insights…
– Conceptualizing the problem within the geography (e.g communication barrier, priority, at risk v/s affected)
– Identifying passionate individuals who can become water quality champions - From 1 village to 30 villages
– Leveraging the potential of alternative and safe source of drinking water through community engagement
– Use of Short films, videos, interactions, discussions, consultations, follow-ups, meetings…….
Guava leaf test, Assam Rain water harvesting structure in school premises
Health camp in Titabar, Assam
Community pond cleaned by the villagers
Tapping the local – newspapers, school gatherings, water quality testing, water infrastructure, awareness through hoardings
Guava leaf test in Bihar
Using ponds for drinking water
LINKING ARSENIC TOXICITY WITH NUTRITION
Access to safe drinking water: Pathway for addressing the challenge of arsenic contamination in water
Arsenic toxicity: Entry and Exit• In many arsenic-affected countries, including Bangladesh and
India, rice is reported to be one of the major sources of arsenic contamination (Bhattacharya et al 2012)
• However scientists and doctors highlight anti-oxidant food for flushing out levels of arsenic toxicity
Type of anti-oxidant food Dosage
turmeric powder (haldi)
1 tablespoon a day with luke-warm half glass milk
gooseberry powder (amla)
1 tablespoon a day with luke-warm half glass milk
holy basil (tulsi leaves) 5 leaves per person per day
coriander leaves (dhaniya) 15 leaves per person per day
Health camp, Titabar, Jorhat (Assam)
• A demand from concerned communities: Camp for identification of patients with chronic arsenic toxicity• Despite a district level bandh (strike), camp witnessed govt level participation• Demystifying myths and assumptions: skin infections v/s arsenicosis• Participatory planning involving doctors, scientists, ANMs, community workers, school teachers
Institutional linkages Programmatic linkages
Identifying institutional gaps in drinking water supply - at state and local level (study for Bihar done)
Linking with Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM)
Studying food habits in arsenic affected regions
Integration with MGNREGA to create physical infrastructure, if needed
Leveraging linkages between water quality, education and health through local health communicators (who could be)
• Active School teachers• Aaganwadi workers• SHG women (Safe Water
Plan)• ASHA/ANMs• ICDS supervisor • paramedical staff and
doctors in sub-divisional hospital
National Health Mission: Health education programme of Health Department
Dosage of anti-oxidant food to combat arsenic toxicity could be included in Mid-Day meal scheme
Inclusion of info in interactive materials