In most Paurashava (municipal towns) of the country, public health and environment is endangered due to improper management of fecal sludge coming out from the improper sanitation facilities. Engineers from Department of Public Health Engineering (DPHE), municipal Mayors and officials from 23 Paurashava have recognized the issue in the sensitization workshops and agreed to work together to improve the situation.
“Fecal Sludge Management (FSM) now being practiced in many developed and developing regions, can be an effective solution to these cities” said Prof. Dr. Md. Mujibur Rahman of BUET in the workshops held on 15, 20, 22 & 26 November 2018. He emphasized that “without effective FSM, Bangladesh would not be able to achieve SDG 6.2”.
“Government of Bangladesh (GoB) is committed to achieve SDG particularly SDG 6.2: ensuring safely managed sanitation services for all” said Ms. Roxana Quader, Additional Secretary, Local Government Division (LGD), Ministry of LGRDC of Government of Bangladesh who was presented in a Sensitization Workshop on 15 November 2018 at DPHE Auditorium as Chief Guest. She added that “The Government's commitment is reflected through the Institutional and Regulatory Framework (IRF) for Fecal Sludge Management (FSM) 2017 developed by the LGD”.
“DPHE has come forward with the support form the government, development banks as well as ITN-BUET to implement FSM as an integral component of development projects” said the Chairperson of the event Engr. Md. Saifur Rahman, Chief Engineer, DPHE.
International Training Network (ITN), a centre of BUET and Department of Public Health Engineering (DPHE jointly organized the Sensitization Workshops under the support of Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF).
“DPHE will implement this 23 Paurashava project with close contact with project Paurashava” said Engr. Md. Wazed Ali, Project Director, 23 Paurashava project, DPHE. He also thanked the participants particularly Mayor for kind presence. The participating Mayor mentioned “their understanding on FSM has been enhanced”. Dr. Muhammad Ashraf Ali, Director, ITN-BUET told “leadership from the Mayor is the key for implementation of FSM project and treatment technology should be selected discussing with Paurashava”. He also said “campaign would be carried out among the community people to build awareness on FSM through effective means”.
Training Need Assessment (TNA) session on training requirements for FSM was conducted as core part of the event. The program ended with the commitment on implementation of FSM from 23 Paurashava leaders.
Report for Sensitization Workshop on FSM for the project implementing officials under 23 Paurashava Project in Bangladesh (GoB-IDB)