India needs sanitation policy reform to enhance public health

Govindasamy Agoramoorthy and Minna Hsu

Journal of Economic Policy Reform, 2009, vol. 12, issue 4, 333-342

Abstract: We investigate the impact of 100 newly built toilets in villages across Dahod District (Gujarat State, India) by a non‐government agency during 2005–2007. The toilets significantly reduced not only the cost of medical treatments but also the loss of wages induced by sanitation‐related diseases. Money saved from sanitation illnesses for one person for a period of two years could cover the cost of a toilet. It costs USD 200 to build a cost‐effective toilet, but the Government of India’s 25% subsidy since January 2009 covers only USD 50. We recommend increasing the subsidy for toilets so that future health care to treat sanitation illnesses can be significantly reduced.

Date: 2009
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DOI: 10.1080/17487870903314625

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