World Health Organisation

CITATION

A fter the end of: the last global war in 1945, the world was left stunned and dazed over the colossal tragedy which had turned Europe into a killing field. There was not a home in Europe which did not mourn its dead or nourish the injured. Remorse and repentance was the dominant mood of the time.

And, out of this sorrow was born the World Health Organisation to heal the sick and injured and also lay out global networks for healthcare and research only to ensure that medical neglect did not happen again. While ratifying the WHO Constitution, the founding member-states had the history weighing upon their conscience.

In pursuance of its Charter, the WHO has contributed to eradication of many diseases; helped improve health, nutrition and environmental cleanliness. Through its various programmes, global and regional, it has spread the message of a clean and healthy living with a success unmatched by any before in human history. This is the UN agency which has always served the poor in their sickness and health, not by giving material assistance alone but also by creating mass awareness.

Three million children are saved annually from death and over 750.000 from disability because the WHO has helped raise immunisation levels in the developing countries from 5% in 1974 to 80% by the mid-90s. Mortality rates among children have fallen by more than 37% during the past 30 years. Smallpox has been eradicated and a notable headway has been made towards control, elimination and final eradication of leprosy, tetanus, polio and guinea worm infestation. In India, the WHO has supported scientific research through its agencies and produced excellent publications and training material in regional languages.

The Sulabh Sanitation Movement was also inspired by a WHO book, "Excreta Disposal for Rural Areas and Small Communities" by Edmund A. Wagner and J.N. Lanoix. It provided a spark to the Sulabh Movement after which the sanitation scenario was never the same again. Pursuing this concept, the two-pit Sulabh technology was developed, on the basis of which sanitation facilities have been set up all over India and abroad, now being used by over 10 million people daily.

The Award also recognises the services of those who have helped the poor. They are the lost people for whom Gandhiji lived and died - a cause which Sulabh also pursues in its own small ways. More importantly, it has led to rehabilitation of millions of India's lowly and downtrodden scavengers, who are condemned to centuries of degradation of physically handling human waste, and facing its pitiful social consequences.

The WHO is making a difference in the quality of life of the poor living on the fringes of society by promoting a cleaner and healthier world. To be true, no organisation has made so much difference in the lives of the peoples of the world as WHO has done. And, by quietly pursuing its health-for-all programmes, it is creating a healthier and better world for future generations.

In recognition of the critical role played by the WHO in the prevention of diseases, promotion of health & hygiene, environmental sanitation and social justice the Sulabh International Social Service Organisation gives the Sulabh Global Sanitation Award, comprising a gold trophy, a gold medal and a cheque of US$ 50,000, to the World Health Organisation on this day, the 22nd of February, two thousand and three.

Dr. Bindeshwar Pathak

Founder and the Sulabh family
New Delhi, India 09.02.2003