Pakistan loses 4 per cent of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) because of sanitation and water related issues while 39,000 children die of poor sanitation every year; therefore, the people from all walks of life need to join hands to raise awareness about hygiene practices, said speakers here on Wednesday.
Minister for Climate Change, Law and Justice Zahid Hamid was the chief guest at the launching ceremony of 'Saaf Sehatmand Pakistan' (clean healthy Pakistan), a nationwide campaign aimed at promoting healthy living by empowering members of the society with knowledge to change harmful practices linked to water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH). He said that hand washing with soap before eating and using toilet can reduce diarrhea and respiratory diseases by 50 per cent.
Hand washing have positive impacts over the growth of children, he said, adding that changing behaviors of people towards hygienic practices is one of the main tools for addressing this serious issue. The minister said that Pakistan is fully committed to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) agenda for 2030. The National Assembly of Pakistan is the first in the world that unanimously passed a resolution adopting the SDGs addenda as its own development agenda. "It not only reflects the broad political support the SDGs, but also indicates that this agenda is now Pakistan's development agenda," he added.
He said that the government is making efforts to improve the dire situation posed by improper sanitation and hygiene. Undoubtedly improving people's hygienic behaviors is vital to this cause. "We must combine our expertise in the health, education, communication and community knowledge to raise and promote hygienic and safe practices," he added.
Country Director Water Aid, Siddiq Ahmad Khan said as many as 39,000 children under the age of five die very year and three million people hit beds in hospitals. Pakistan loses 4 per cent of its GDP because of sanitation and water related issues, he added.
He said that lack of proper practices and improper behaviours related to safe use of water, better sanitation and improved hygiene is the main cause of this serious issue. "Everyone should demonstrate improved behaviors of water, sanitation and hygiene because healthier lives are the main vision of the campaign," he said. The main steps of the campaign include awareness about hygiene, constructing, maintaining safe hygienic latrines, sanitation, safe drinking water and water conservation.
Country Director Plan International Pakistan Imran Shami said that Pakistan is among the top five countries in the world with highest rate of diarrhea related deaths. Every year, 53,000 children die of diarrhea alone and 60 per cent of all infant deaths occur due to unsafe water and poor sanitation, all of which is easily preventable. While the numbers are overwhelming, they could be significantly reduced.
Saaf Sehatmand Pakistan (clean healthy Pakistan) is anchored on the philosophy that poor sanitation and hygiene practices have more than just health consequences. Children suffering from continuous bouts of diarrhea or other infections resulting from poor water and sanitation are most likely to fall behind in school or drop out altogether, limiting their ability to release their full potential.
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