RANGPUR, Nov 19, 2022 (BSS) - Recurrence of waterborne diseases has reduced

almost to zero level in rural areas of Rangpur division following successful
implementation of various programmes by the government in the last 13 years.
 
Massive awareness raising and other activities conducted by the government
have improved health, hygiene, sanitation and nutrition conditions of rural
people who are also using sanitary latrines and drinking pure water to
achieve the success.

"As a result of growing public awareness about waterborne diseases,
recurrence of diarrhoea, cholera, dysentery, hookworm and ringworm in rural
areas has reduced to zero level," said Acting Divisional Director (Health)
Dr. Md. Habibur Rahman.

At the same time, the infant, child and maternal mortality rates have reduced
to the zero level in rural areas, including riverine char areas, of Rangpur
division over the past 13 years during the tenure of the Awami League-led
government.

"The government and non-government health officials and workers, Community
Clinics and Union Health Sub-Centres are playing the key roles along with the
efforts and collaboration of other development organisations, NGOs, WHO and
UNICEF," he said.

Dr. Fazlul Haque, former community medicine specialist of Rangpur Medical
College, said rural people are now much aware of health, hygiene, sanitation,
personal hygiene, safe drinking water and they use sanitary latrines
everywhere.

Former Assistant Professor of Rangpur Medical College Dr. Hamidul Islam said
waterborne disease-related child and maternal mortalities has already touched
zero level following vital roles being played by Community Clinics at
grassroots levels.

"However, a very few incidents of waterborne diseases are being noticed
following consumption of rotten, old and unhygienic foodstuffs from a section
of roadside hotels, restaurants and open tea stalls," Dr. Islam added.

Chairman of Chandanpat union under Rangpur Sadar upazila Amenur Rahman said
the number of waterborne disease-related child and maternal deaths has
already reduced to zero level in his union where the number was alarming even
one and half decades ago.

 "The union is now free from waterborne diseases and the success has been
achieved following hectic government and NGO efforts in motivating the rural
people for better life with the help of field level health workers and
community leaders," he added.

 Chairman of Rangpur-based research organisation 'Northbengal Institute of
Development Studies' Dr. Syed Samsuzzaman said occurrence of waterborne
diseases has reduced almost to the zero level everywhere in the division
including char areas.

 The success has been achieved following successful awareness raising
activities conducted through GO-NGO collaboration as a part of massive steps
taken by the government to ensure hygienic sanitation and safe drinking water
facilities for all.

 "Waterborne diseases have disappeared improving health and hygienic indexes
of rural people as the country is moving ahead as a developing nation on the
way to achieve the SDGs by 2030 and become a developed country by the year
2041 next," he added.

 Housewives Joytsna Rani and Bharoti Rani of remote Gangadas Baraipara
village, Kakoli and Sumaiya Begum of Najirdigar village in Rangpur Sadar
upazila said waterborne diseases disappeared since they started using
sanitary latrines and drinking pure water.