Abstract
Right to health and hygiene is an important prerequisite of human life. But a large number of world’s population is deprived of these basic needs. We did a preliminary survey work in Santali and neighbouring Hindu villages of Chorpalia and Negua region of Egra subdivision of EastMedinipur district, West Bengal to find out economic condition, concept of health, hygiene and sanitation habit of the villagers. Local people were found to be highly vulnerable to diseases like diarrhoea, cholera, gastroenteritis etc. Malnutrition, hostile environment, lack of access to safe drinking water, poor sanitation and blind beliefs of villagers compound their misery. This work explores the dismal condition of the people, especially their health, hygiene and sanitation status, which is not at all satisfactory. Attention to provide safe drinking water, to make arrangement of toilets for the villagers and public awareness camp about the benefits of proper sanitation might be helpful in prevention of diseases, and to restore a healthy sustainable environment, in broader aspect.
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