JOURNAL OF CLINICAL AND BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES

Abstract

Background: Public health functions are divided between several Government agencies including health and engineering departments, Panchayat raj, etc. Intersectoral co-ordination among them is required for maintaining environmental sanitation. Aims: To understand the perception of service providers on agencies primarily responsible to provide environmental sanitation and the intersectoral co-ordination among them. Methods and Material: Sixty six functionaries from health, engineering, Panchayat raj and other agencies involved in environment sanitation services in Kolar were studied to understand their perception on this function. Their perception on provision of services related to water and waste management, vector control and overseeing of sanitation in hotels, slaughter houses and cattle keeping and co-ordination among various departments was assessed. Results: Personnel from all the sectors totally agreed of panchayat/municipality being primarily responsible to provide water and manage wastes. There was disagreement regarding the primary service providers for vector control and overseeing of hotels, slaughterhouses and cattle keeping. Majority in the health sector felt panchayat/ municipality is principally responsible for vector control whereas personnel from other sectors perceived health departments were principally responsible. Majority perceived both health and panchayat/municipality departments are responsible in ensuring safe water and sanitation in epidemics. Conclusions: Intersectoral co-ordination among the departments was found to be better during emergencies and not on routine basis. There is a need to orient the service providers of the public health function of environmental sanitation on the primary service provided and their role in intersectoral coordination. Keywords: Environmental sanitation, intersectoral co-ordination, public health functionaries