Neura SHC shows way to prevent water stagnation

MERCES, FEB 5
Water stagnation has become a common problem in Goa, making it a good source of mosquito breeding, which results in spread of several vector borne diseases like malaria, dengue, chikungunya, etc.
If water stagnation is avoided, spread of vector borne diseases can be controlled to a large extent. However, many people are not aware about it and their ignorance only helps in compounding the problem.
Now, taking the initiative to educate the villagers in controlling water stagnation and guiding them to achieve the same, multipurpose health worker (MPHW) Kusha Naik of Neura Sub-Health Centre (SHC) with active support of village health and sanitation (VHS) committees, has taken a small but significant step in avoiding water stagnation at Mandur and Neura villages.
At Dhaktem Bhat, Mandur, five villages comprising of 36 members were facing the problem of water stagnation near their houses, which was proving to be a health hazard in the neighbourhood.
The Mandur VHS committee members accompanied by Betki PHC HO Mangala Tamba and Neura SHC staff visited the site and after discussions approved finance under the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) scheme to construction a common soak pit.
The area was then cleaned off the stagnant water and a common soak pit was constructed, with the family members also contributing voluntarily for the same and today, the area looks spick and span with two bathrooms.
Again, at Padri Bhat, Mandur, the VHS committee took up another case wherein water stagnation near the houses of 3 families comprising 40 members, was posing health problems in the vicinity.
But, since the family members were unable to contribute funds from their own pocket, Mandur deputy sarpanch Pauline Po along with the VHS committee and Neura SHC staff took the initiative and constructed a common soak pit, which is currently underway.
Also, at Gudiwada, Neura, problem of garbage accumulation and water stagnation was causing nuisance to six families, comprising a total of 48 members. Here too, the Neura VHS committee in coordination with Betki PHC HO Mangala Tamba and Neura SHC staff guided the villagers in solving the problem.
Accordingly, the garbage was cleared and disposed off by the sanitation committee and a common soak pit was dug, with some family members providing laterite stones, sand and PVC pipes.
The project is currently underway with the family members agreeing to make contributions to see that it becomes a reality and the problem of water stagnation is solved.
MPHW Kusha Naik, who is the guiding force behind such activities, informed that the public should be made aware of the health hazards created due to water stagnation and if they get proper guidance, the nuisance can be definitely controlled.
Kusha further added that under the NRHM scheme, a village health and sanitation committee, headed by the Sarpanch, needs to be formed and a total of Rs 10000 is provided to conduct cleanliness and sanitation activities in the village.
The committee members along with the SHC staff organize a meeting and decide on how to utilize the fund and identify sites where such activities can be carried out.