Project to raise awareness about hygiene in Drosh

CHITRAL: The men and women are being imparted training under an Italian-funded project in two union councils of Drosh to raise awareness about hygiene among local communities.

The scheme named Project for Poverty Reduction (PPR) of the Sarhad Rural Support Programme (SRSP) has provided Rs1.6 million for continuation of its initiatives in the field of health and hygiene.

Speaking at the cheques distribution ceremony, District Health Officer Javed Ahmad said the project was aimed at raising awareness and imparting training to the community about maintaining hygienic conditions.

He said 20 men and as many women had been imparted extensive training to perform the job.The official said that the trainers were called Community Resource Persons (CRPs), who have passed on skills to around 9820 men and women.

Javed Ahmad said that the sustainability of the project depended on the efficiency of the CRPs and due to this reason the SRSP had decided to provide the community with necessary finances.

He stressed the participatory role for the community to make the initiative sustainable keeping in view its urgency the project design had ensured active input of the community.He said the project improved and reinstated the infrastructure of the government-run hospitals in the two union councils and provided them medicines.

The community representatives eulogised the decision of the SRSP for choosing Drosh for the health initiative whose health and hygiene issues were multiplied due to its contiguity to Afghanistan’s eastern Kunar province.