Sulabh Sanitation Mission Foundation in frontline service to fight covid-19

Our trained housekeeping and sanitation members have been providing round the clock vital maintenance services in state-of-the art government Covid hospitals in Assam, Delhi, and Bihar. Our workers are among the frontline warriors in tackling the issues arising due to covid-19 pandemic.

Our workers in various hospitals, isolation wards and quarantine centres are incessantly fighting to curb the transmission of the deadly virus. Apart from the sanitation and maintenance services, our volunteers are also relentlessly working to curb the stigmas arising due to pandemic by virtue of spreading awareness about the virus. We have also distributed masks to poor people in the hard-hit areas.

Awareness to tackle stigma around Covid 19

Social stigma is often associated with discrimination and exclusion, and is usually linked with low level of education/awareness among people. Health Emergencies like Covid-19 outbreak has sparked social stigma and discriminatory behaviours against the people of certain ethnic backgrounds as well as against anyone perceived to have contracted the disease. Stigma can undermine social cohesion and prompt possible social isolation of groups, which might contribute to a situation where the virus is more, not less, likely to spread. This can result in more severe health problems and difficulties in controlling the disease outbreak.

Objectives

  • To aware people about the coronavirus.
  • Make them understand the reasons for the transmission of disease.
  • Knowledge dissemination about dos and don’ts.
  • Clear the misconception about the infected people.

Methodology

We have significant experience in running campaigns at grassroot levels. We have designed our project in such a manner that it will have a wider reach and long-lasting impact.

  • Community Level
    We visit several/targeted villages, arrange meetings with sarpanch and then disseminate the information. We use our resources like previously constructed toilets in those villages for placing infographics. We also conduct door to door visits and interact with their family members and address their queries.
  • School Level
    This pandemic has brought in to spotlight the basic importance of access to water, sanitation and hygiene facilities (WASH). Students are the agents of change. Once the schools reopen, we aim to run micro-campaigns making them further aware of handwashing, mask making and social distancing.
  • Nukkad Natak/ Folk Songs
    These things have a far-reaching impact as they are easy to understand, and people can relate to it.
  • Through Anganwadi workers
    The involvement of Anganwadi workers for generating awareness among community members, work effectively as they are aware of the demographical situation of the targeted area.
  • Communicating support and encouragement for those who are on the frontlines of response to this outbreak (health care workers, volunteers, community leaders etc). – Share (IEC) facts and accurate information about the disease.

Project Monitoring & Evaluation

A peer monitoring system is evolved to provide an interactive feedback between facilitator, stakeholders and beneficiaries. Monitoring and the correcting process wherever and whenever necessary has been an integral part of the project execution.