Sanitation a ‘super vaccine’ against diseases, experts stress at Hyderabad panel
The discussion on “Sanitation: A Super Vaccine” was organised by the newly formed Rotary Club of One Hyderabad (RC1H) held at The Leela, Banjara Hills recently, on the eve of its Charter Presentation Ceremony.
Senior government officials, development-sector representatives and industry leaders participated in the discussion on improving sanitation systems, particularly in rapidly urbanising communities.
The session was moderated by Prof. V. Srinivas Chary, former Director of the Administrative Staff College of India (ASCI) and advisor to T-Works, Dasra and the Gates Foundation, along with Abhishek Nath, founder of LooCafe and ReFlow.
Prof. Chary, in his opening remarks, recalled his recent visit to Japan, where sanitation was accorded priority even before major infrastructure projects such as highways, roads and bullet train networks.
India needed to reassess its development priorities and recognise sanitation as the foundation of a healthy society, he said.
Dr. T. K. Sridevi, Secretary of the Municipal Administration Department and Commissioner and Director of Municipal Administration, Telangana, said a lack of clarity over responsibility for maintaining cleanliness often pushed sanitation into the background.
Recalling Mahatma Gandhi’s emphasis on sanitation during the freedom struggle, she said economic growth and wealth creation had often taken precedence over sanitation after Independence.
While public behaviour had gradually improved, with open urination and defecation declining, she called for a shift away from the “flush and forget” approach.
Sanitation required greater investment and sustained behavioural change, and Rotary could play an important role in creating awareness and encouraging responsible practices, she said.
Dr. Zelalem Birhanu Tafesse, Chief of Field Office, UNICEF India, described sanitation as a “super vaccine”, saying effective sanitation and handwashing practices could prevent diseases and protect communities.
Highlighting the partnership between UNICEF and Rotary in the global fight against polio, he said Rotary’s contribution extended beyond financial assistance to volunteer mobilisation. In Uttar Pradesh and Bihar alone, Rotary had facilitated the services of more than 7,000 volunteers, demonstrating the importance of community participation in public health initiatives.
Vivek Pandey, WASH professional and consultant to the Gates Foundation, called for innovation in wastewater management, noting that sanitation technologies in many cities had remained largely unchanged for more than 160 years.
He advocated treating wastewater close to its source and reusing treated water for purposes such as toilet flushing to reduce freshwater consumption and dependence on conventional sewerage infrastructure.
Referring to the ReFlow Model toilet installed at Lumbini Park in Hyderabad, he highlighted an approach that treats wastewater on-site and reuses recovered water, reducing freshwater requirements and dependence on conventional sewage connections.
Rohit Chandragiri of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), British Deputy High Commission, highlighted sanitation’s contribution to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Sanitation had a direct or indirect impact on 130 of the 169 targets under the 17 SDGs, he said, emphasising its links with public health, access to clean water, gender equality, education, environmental protection and human dignity.
“Invest in sanitation. Transform lives,” he said.
Girish Mallpani, Chairman and Managing Director of MPM Group, stressed the need for effective effluent treatment plants and wastewater management systems in residential communities. He urged Resident Welfare Associations to ensure that treatment facilities were adequate, functional and properly maintained, and that wastewater was treated before discharge or reuse in accordance with applicable standards.
He also called on homebuyers to examine wastewater management arrangements while purchasing villas and luxury apartments, rather than focusing solely on amenities.
Col. M. Chandan Kumar, Head of Engineering at T-Works, highlighted the need for affordable, practical and scalable sanitation technologies. He stressed the importance of bridging the gap between technological innovation and implementation to make effective solutions accessible to communities.
Rotary District 3150 Governor Uday Pilani said sanitation required sustained investment, public awareness and behavioural change. Rotary could bring together government agencies, industry, civil society and communities to promote innovative solutions and improve public health, he added.
The panel called for a comprehensive approach combining infrastructure development, wastewater recycling, technological innovation, behavioural change and institutional collaboration to build healthier and more sustainable communities.
