According to a new World Health Organization study, an estimated 4 lakh diarrheal disease fatalities can be avoided if the Jal Jeevan Mission achieves its goal of delivering clean water to all rural households. The Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) was launched by the Union government in 2019.

This state-wide campaign aims to deliver clean and adequate drinking water to all rural households through individual tap connections by 2024.

The Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation requested that the World Health Organisation (WHO) to conduct a study to assess potential health gains and financial savings linked with increased access to safe drinking water services in India.

The study’s findings revealed that 62% of rural households had been provided with tap water connections. The study also showed that with universal coverage of safe drinking water in India, almost 14 million DALYs (disability-adjusted life years) from diarrheal disease could be averted. Furthermore, the estimated cost savings were reported at around USD 101 billion based on the data.

Also, the study showed that providing a tap connection to every household would save significant time on water collection, especially among women.

The Har Ghar Jal program, implemented under the banner of the Jal Jeevan Mission under the Ministry of Jal Shakti, was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 15, 2019. The primary goal of the initiative was to provide affordable and regular access to adequate, safe drinking water through taps in every rural household. 

(Source:https://www.firstpost.com/india/four-lakh-diarrhoeal-disease-deaths-can-be-averted-if-jal-jeevan-mission-meets-target-says-who-report-12716042.html )