DHAKA, Oct 16, 2021 (BSS) - President M Abdul Hamid and Prime
Minister Sheikh Hasina today expressed the hope that the observance of
the 'National Sanitation Month-October 2021' and the 'Global
Handwashing Day 2021' will help create public awareness and improve
sanitation system in the country.

   In separate messages, they wished a success of all programmes of
the sanitation month and the hand-washing day.

   The LGRD and Cooperatives Ministry observes the month and the day
to create awareness on safe sanitation and hygiene among the people.

   The President, in his message, said that hygienic and sustainable
sanitation is prerequisite to the protection of public health and it
is essential to ensure safe sanitation system for all to develop
public health.

   In the wake of global outbreak of coronavirus pandemic, the
importance of developed sanitation has increased further, he said.

   President Hamid said that the World Health Organization (WHO) has
put importance on washing hands with soap side by side with
maintaining social distancing to face Covid-19 pandemic.

   It is very important to build the habit of washing hands before and
after every work for sound health and beautiful life, he said.

   He called for ensuring participation of downtrodden community of
society along with school-college students in these programme for
successful implementation of sanitation programme.

   Abdul Hamid expressed his hope that the concerned government and
non-government organizations will continue their united efforts to
attain cherished goals of sustainable sanitation.

   He said that Bangladesh attained remarkable success in sanitation
programme in achieving Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) which was
also praised massively at the international arena.

  Bangladesh has taken different initiatives for ensuring Safely
Managed Sanitation system for all by 2030, he mentioned.

     He said that sanitary latrine, public and community toilet and wash
blocks have been built at primary schools to ensure safe sanitation
for all.

  In her message, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said that the
Bangladesh Awami League led government has been working tirelessly for
the development of public health since assuming power in 2009.

   The United Nations has given special importance on safe sanitation
management for attaining 6.2 target of Sustainable Development Goals
(SDGs), she said.

   "Our government is determined to ensure safe sanitation and healthy
environment for all. We have implemented 49 projects at a cost of Taka
13,298 crore in rural and municipal areas for pure drinking water,
safe sanitation and waste management through the Department of Public
Health Engineering in around 13 years. As a result, now the national
coverage of sanitation increased to 99 percent," she said.

   Outbreak of diseases due to lack of sanitation and drinking unsafe
water has decreased remarkably because of increasing of public
awareness, she mentioned.

  The premier said that at present around 99 percent of the country's
population has been brought under safe sanitation and safe water
sources which was only 33 percent in 2003.

   This success of Bangladesh has been lauded at the international
arena, she said, adding that besides, the government has given
approval to different projects for ensuring supply of safe drinking
water.

   She said that many projects related to water testing laboratory,
sanitation and waste management are underway and once the projects are
implemented, it will be conducive to attain SDGs.

   "Our target is to ensure Safely Managed Sanitation and drinking
water supply by 2030. We have to march forward quickly to achieve the
goals," she said.

  She called upon all concerned, including non-government
organizations, development associate agencies and media, to come
forward spontaneously to expedite the social movement for safe
sanitation.