Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized the significant impact of improved sanitation on reducing infant and child mortality, citing the success of the Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM). In a post on X, the Prime Minister praised recent research that demonstrates how access to proper toilets has transformed public health in India, calling it a “game-changer.
Modi shared findings from a research paper published in the journal *Nature*, which highlights the dramatic increase in toilet construction since the launch of the Swachh Bharat Mission in 2014. The research noted that the post-SBM period saw a marked decline in infant and child mortality rates compared to the years before the initiative. Estimates suggest that the widespread construction of toilets has helped avert approximately 60,000 to 70,000 infant deaths annually.
Launched on October 2, 2014, the Swachh Bharat Mission is a nationwide campaign aimed at eliminating open defecation and improving waste management systems across India. The initiative has not only improved sanitation but also delivered substantial public health benefits, particularly in low and middle-income regions.
The Prime Minister expressed pride in India’s leadership in implementing such transformative sanitation programs, which have become a model for other countries seeking to improve health outcomes through better sanitation infrastructure.
