Borehole Latrine: A borehole latrine is a deep, narrow pit drilled into the ground using mechanical or manual boring techniques.
• It may be lined with bamboo matting or earthenware rings to prevent collapse.
Dug-Well Latrine: A dug-well latrine consists of a wider, shallower pit that is manually excavated.
• It needs lining materials like bricks, stones, or concrete rings.
The limitations of a borehole latrine were:
• Limited capacity: The borehole filled up quickly, requiring frequent relocation.
• Specialized equipment: The construction process relied on an auger, which was not always readily available.
Bore-hole latrine can be seen as a sanitation milestone in India. It pioneered the advancement from service type to sanitary latrines.
• First introduced in the 1930s by the Rockefeller Foundation as part of a campaign against hookworm infestations
• It involved boring a vertical hole with a
o Diameter of approximately 30 to 40 cm (12–16 inches) and a
o Depth ranging from 4 to 8 meters (13–26 feet), with 6 meters (20 feet) being the most common.
• To create this borehole, a specialized tool called an auger was required.
What is ‘Excreta’?
Excreta refer to human waste, comprising both feces and urine. The methods of its disposal vary significantly based on cultural practices, economic conditions, water availability, and hygiene behaviors, such as the use of water or toilet paper for cleaning.
Why Should a Medical Student Care About Toilets?
As an MBBS student, you might think your primary focus should be on treating diseases, diagnosing conditions, and understanding human anatomy. But what if you are told that one of the greatest medical inventions isn’t a new drug, but a properly designed latrine?
Yes, something as simple as a ‘sanitary latrine’ can prevent millions of infections, reduce childhood mortality, and even improve nutritional outcomes.
First, what is meant by ‘Sanitary’?
We’ve all heard about smog hanging over cities, but what about the air inside your home? It might surprise you to learn that the air you breathe within four walls can be just as, if not more, polluted than the air outside.
Think of your home as a cozy haven? Think again. A silent thief could be lurking, impacting your health without you even realizing it. That thief is indoor air pollution.
The National Clean Air Program (NCAP) was launched in January, 2019 by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India for developing a national level strategy to tackle the air pollution throughout the country.
Some government initiatives for tackling air pollution had already been in place. These were:
NATIONAL AIR QUALITY MONITORING PROGRAMME: 703 air quality monitoring stations in 71 cities in the country. These measure PM10, PM2.5, SO2, NOx, ammonia (NH3), CO, ozone (O3), and benzene.
Pentavalent vaccine: Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus, HiB, Hepatitis – B
MR: Measles and Rubella
DPT: Diphtheria, Pertussis and Tetanus
Td: Tetanus and Diphtheria
Diseases Covered under NIS (National Immunization Schedule) of India: 2024: https://ihatepsm.com/blog/diseases-covered-under-nis-national-immunizati...
Vaccination can be availed against 12 vaccine preventable diseases:
Nationally against 11 diseases-
1. Diphtheria,
2. Pertussis,
3. Tetanus,
4. Polio,
5. Measles,
6. Rubella,
7. Severe form of childhood Tuberculosis,
8. Rotavirus Diarrhoea,
9. Hepatitis B,
10. Meningitis & Pneumonia caused by Hemophilus Influenza Type B
11. Pneumococcal Pneumonia
Sub-nationally against 1 Disease –
Points to note for the mnemonic:
1. Each vaccine is denoted by the first letter of its name
B for BCG (bacillus Calmette-Guerin)
O for OPV (Oral Polio Vaccine)
H for Hepatitis B vaccine
for Pentavalent vaccine (D, P, T, Hib, Hep-B)
P for PCV (Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine)
I for IPV ((Inactivated Polio Vaccine)
