Regional workshop on public health, WASH held
Source: Chronicle News Service / DIO

Churachandpur, March 27 2025: A regional workshop on public health and WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) for North-Eastern states was held on Wednesday in Dimapur, Nagaland bringing together key stakeholders to address pressing sanitation and public health challenges in the region.

The event, organised under the NeVolution initiative, saw participation of policymakers, health experts, civil society organisations, and representatives from both state and central governments.

NeVolution, led by Dr Priscilla C Ngaihte, NITI Aayog, had Churachandpur deputy commissioner Dharun Kumar S speaking on the topic 'Swatch Northeast' .

Regional workshop on public health, WASH held

The workshop emphasised the unique challenges faced by the eight North Eastern states due to their difficult terrain, limited infrastructure, and high level of water contamination.

The discussions revolved around three key pillars � 'Swachh North East' � Focusing on sanitation, solid and liquid waste management; 'Swajal North East' � addressing water quality issues, including biological and chemical contaminants; and 'Swasth North East' � highlighting the public health implications of inadequate WASH infrastructure.

The workshop was inaugurated by Nagaland deputy chief minister Y Patton, who stressed the urgent need for a sustainable, community-driven approach to WASH.

Nagaland PHE minister Jacob Zhimomi emphasized the progress made under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) and Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) .

Among others, Churachandpur DC Dharun Kumar discussed the rise in waterborne diseases and the need for improved infection control.

The workshop concluded with a set of actionable recommendations to enhance WASH services in the region, including sustaining ODF+ progress through decentralised waste management systems; expanding tap water coverage in remote areas under the Jal Jeevan Mission; improving water purification technologies to mitigate arsenic and fluoride contamination; enhancing public health infrastructure to reduce the burden of preventable diseases and strengthening government-community partnerships for long-term sustainability.