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New Delhi: The National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has released comprehensive guidelines to tackle water contamination and the resulting water-borne diseases. These Standard Operating Procedures (SoPs) emphasize coordination between the ministries of Health and Jal Shakti to ensure timely detection, prevention, management, and control of illnesses caused by biological and chemical contaminants in water sources.
The guidelines highlight the need for identifying water quality hotspots at the block level, conducting regular water testing at both source and household levels, and sensitizing communities about water-borne diseases such as acute diarrhoea, cholera, dysentery, hepatitis A, and water-washed diseases like scabies and skin infections. They also address risks from geogenic contaminants including iron, fluoride, arsenic, nitrates, chlorides, and phosphates, which can lead to acute and chronic health conditions.
Key components of the SoPs include:
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Establishing a national Water and Health Committee representing multiple ministries to guide policy formulation and financial support.
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State-level joint IEC (Information, Education, and Communication) campaigns and a State Rapid Response Team to test water and issue advisories during seasonal and extreme weather events like floods, droughts, cyclones, and saltwater intrusion.
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District-level regular testing of healthcare facility water, hotspot visits, availability of disinfectants, and corrective measures.
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Block-level actions focusing on hotspot identification, outbreak management, community sensitization, and fostering community participation for safe water.
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Community-level periodic testing at schools, anganwadis, primary health centers, and Health and Wellness Centers, with transparent sharing and display of results.
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Training of community health workers and women on water quality testing, monitoring, cleaning, and disinfection alongside provision of field-testing kits.
These SoPs complement the Drinking Water Quality Monitoring and Surveillance Framework established under the Jal Jeevan Mission, which aims to provide clean tap water to every rural home and public institution, with robust water quality surveillance involving communities.
The initiative represents a significant stride toward ensuring public health by preventing water-related illnesses through coordinated monitoring, early detection, timely response, and community engagement.
Disclaimer: This article is based on information from the National Centre for Disease Control’s recently released guidelines. Readers are advised to follow official updates and local health advisories for specific actions related to water quality and disease prevention.
