New research paper published in nature magazine and authored by researchers from International Food Policy Research Institute, University of California and Ohio State University has revealed that eradication of open defecation in India has contributed to averting approximately 60,000–70,000 infant deaths annually.^[1]

Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government, toilet coverage increased dramatically and open defecation has also been eradicated. Piped water supply coverage increased from 16% to 78% and clean cooking gas connections have been given to more than 11 crore households leading to better social and health outcomes. 

IMR reduced Thrice as Faster after SBM

 

●      The Paper additionally revealed that while IMR declined at thrice the higher speed between 2015 and 2020 compared to 2000-2015. This shows the significant impact Swachh Bharat Mission had in contributing to reduced Infant Mortality Rate.

●        While IMR exhibited an annual decline of just 3% between 2000 and 2015, the rate of IMR reduction in the post-SBM period was 8-9% higher than the pre-SBM rate of reduction. Furthermore, Mean IMR post 2015 was 10% lower compared to IMR between 2000 and 2015.

●        Not only has IMR reduced from 39 in 2014 to 28 in 2020, the gap between urban and rural IMR has also reduced to 12 points.

Spin off Effects

●      The Paper also revealed that higher coverage of toilets in districts led to better health outcomes including improvement in institutional delivery, maternal health and ante-natal care.

●      Higher coverage of toilets also led to more women and children accessing nutrition services like POSHAN Abhiyan and PM Matru Vandana Yojana.

●      The Paper also revealed that benefits of Swachh Bharat Mission were higher in places where piped water supply coverage was higher.

●      Thus, it can be extrapolated that positive health benefits of Swachh Bharat would have increased post the implementation of Jal Jeevan Mission wherein almost 12 crore rural homes have been supplied with piped drinking water taking rural piped water supply coverage from 16% to more than 78% in 5 years!

 

^[1] https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-024-71268-8#MOESM1

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