Leh: Emphasising the need for improved hygiene practices and professional conduct among sanitation workers, Executive Officer, Municipal Committee Leh, Stanzin Rabgais, emphasised that sustained training initiatives are essential to strengthen public health systems and ensure the welfare of frontline sanitation staff.
He was speaking at a one-day training programme on sanitation and hygiene held at the Conference Hall of the DC Office, Leh, organised in collaboration with Harpic World Toilet College, Reckitt, Jagraon Pehal, and Green Sparsh Foundation. The programme brought together sanitation workers of the Municipal Committee Leh for focused skill enhancement and awareness sessions.
Rabgais underlined the importance of maintaining hygiene standards in workplaces and urged workers to adopt a professional approach in their duties, including respectful engagement with the public. He also highlighted the need for regular health check-ups and encouraged participants to make full use of such training opportunities.
The initiative forms part of the outreach of the Harpic World Toilet College, founded in 2018 by Jack Sim in Singapore, which aims to improve sanitation standards and build workforce skills across regions. The programme has been operational in several parts of India since 2022 and was introduced in Ladakh through the Ladakh Heart Foundation, coordinated by Tenzin Motup.
Officials said the training focused on improving sanitation practices across institutions, including municipal bodies, hospitals and hotels. A medical camp and an enrolment drive for government welfare schemes were also conducted alongside the training to address the health and social security needs of sanitation workers.
Rabgais further informed that staff quarters are being constructed at two locations with government funding to improve living conditions for sanitation workers. He also acknowledged the role of partner organisations and advised participants to responsibly use the materials distributed during the programme, including protective gloves and bottles.
The session concluded with participation from sanitation workers of MC Leh, with organisers noting that such programmes are expected to contribute to improved service delivery and better hygiene outcomes in the region.
