Every year, World Toilet Day is observed to raise awareness about the global sanitation crisis and encourage action to solve it. The goal set by the United Nation is to achieve safe toilets for all by 2023, as a part of their Sustainable Development Goals.

The UN also states that 3.5 billion people live without proper sanitation and many children also lose their lives due to poor sanitation and unsafe water. This is why World Toilet Day is observed to raise awareness on this issue.

Theme

This year, the theme for World Toilet Day 2024 is "Toilets - A Place for Peace'. This focuses on the growing threat to sanitation that is caused by conflict, climate change, disaster and neglect. When there is a threat to using toilets, it can lead to many health risks.

Not using toilets for too long may lead to Urinary Tract Infection or UTI. For many who do not have access to clean toilets do not drink enough liquid or hold pee for too long. Doctors suggest that holding in pee for too long can cause bacteria to multiply and lead to UTI. By not drinking enough water, your bladder fails to tell the body to pee often, and can cause the bacteria to spread through the urinary tract, which can lead to infection.

Symptoms of UTI:

• Burning or stinging feeling while urinating
• Pain in pelvis or lower abdomen
• Constant urge to empty the bladder
• Strong or foul smelling urine
• Consistently dark urine
• Blood in urine

Holding in pee for too long can also cause your bladder to stretch, making it difficult or even impossible for the bladder to contract and release pee normally. It can also damage your pelvic floor muscles or could lead to kidney stones.

World Toilet Day History And Significance

To prevent such conditions, it is important that everyone has access to clean and safe toilets. In terms of history, the day was established in 2001, by the World Toilet Organization (WTO), which was founded by Jack Sim. However, it was officially recognised by the UN in 2013. The Government of Singapore worked with WTO to create the first UN resolution called Sanitation for All.

India too promotes safe and hygiene toilet through its Swachh Bharat Yojna.

India today unveiled a wide-ranging package of healthcare initiatives aimed at strengthening maternal and child health, expanding digital health services, improving emergency medical care and accelerating efforts to tackle anemia.

The new programs, operational guidelines and digital platforms were launched by Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda at the 16th Conference of the Central Council of Health and Family Welfare (CCHFW).

"A developed India cannot be achieved without a healthy India," said Nadda, while describing healthcare as one of the most important pillars of the country's vision of Viksit Bharat 2047. He also stressed that states are equal partners in strengthening India's health system.

Here's a look at the initiatives launched.

SUMAN Roadmap 2030

The SUMAN Roadmap 2030 is a strategic framework to improve maternal and newborn healthcare and help India achieve its Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.

The roadmap adopts a life-cycle approach covering pre-pregnancy, pregnancy, childbirth and the postnatal period while integrating child health, adolescent health, family planning and nutrition programs.

It also aims to reduce the Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) to below 70 per 100,000 live births by 2030 through better identification and management of high-risk pregnancies.

Also read: Mid-Day Meal Row In India: Doctors Explain Why Eggs Matter For Children's Growth And Development

Samagra Shishu Bal Swasthya Karyakram (SSBSK)

The Samagra Shishu Bal Swasthya Karyakram (SSBSK) is a unified program providing home and community-based care for children from birth to 36 months.

The initiative merges the existing Home-Based Newborn Care (HBNC) and Home-Based Care for Young Child (HBYC) programs. Children identified as "at-risk," including those born prematurely, with low birth weight or developmental delays, will receive additional home visits and closer monitoring.

Anemia Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan

Read More: Popular Biscuit Brand Under FSSAI Scrutiny For Misleading ‘100% Atta’ & ‘No Added Sugar’ Claims

The revised Anemia Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan guidelines shift the program from preventive care to therapeutic management through a 7x7x7 strategy and a Test, Treat, Talk and Track (T4) approach.

The updated framework expands beneficiary coverage, promotes iron-rich diets, strengthens digital tracking and introduces intravenous iron therapy for severe anemia among pregnant and lactating women.

National Ambulance Services Guidelines

Nadda also unveiled the National Ambulance Services (NAS) Operational Guidelines 2026, the country's first comprehensive framework for ambulance services.

The guidelines standardize ambulance categories, equipment, staffing, training and quality monitoring while promoting GPS-enabled tracking, integrated command centers and future integration with the national emergency helpline 112.

Digital Health Initiatives

Read To Know: Aarogya Setu 2.0, AI Health Records, WhatsApp Services: Centre's Big Healthcare Push Explained

The minister launched a slew of digital health platforms, including:

• Aarogya Setu 2.0,
• the Ayushman App,
• Ayushman Sarathi WhatsApp Chatbot,
• Unified Health Interface (UHI),
• Drug Registry,
• National Health Claims Exchange (NHCX),
• e-Sushrut Clinic, Common LOINC Codes for India (CLCI)
• Bharat Health Terminology Service (BHTS).

Developed by the National Health Authority and the National Resource Centre for EHR Standards, these initiatives aim to improve access to healthcare, ensure seamless exchange of health information and make services more integrated, efficient and citizen-centric.

Calling the launches "a significant milestone," Nadda said the initiatives build on flagship programs such as Ayushman Bharat and will help strengthen healthcare delivery through greater digital innovation and connectivity.

While India has made progress on several child and maternal health indicators, the latest National Family Health Survey (NFHS-6) shows that nearly one in five children in the country suffer from wasting (acute malnutrition).

The survey also found that stunting among children under five declined from 35.5% to 29.3%, but nearly three in every 10 children remain stunted. Meanwhile, 31.8% of children are underweight, while 5.2% continue to suffer from severe wasting, highlighting the country's persistent burden of child undernutrition.

Several states, including most recently West Bengal, continue to debate whether eggs should be included in school mid-day meals, with cultural, ideological, and dietary preferences often influencing decisions that could affect children's nutrition.

The number of states serving eggs under the scheme has also declined over the past decade. In 2025–26, only 13 states provided eggs to schoolchildren, down from 16 states in 2015–16, according to a Moneycontrol report. As a result, just over one-third of states now include eggs in their mid-day meal menus, compared with 44% a decade ago.

Amid the debate, HealthandMe spoke to doctors and nutrition experts, who warned against removing eggs from mid-day meal schemes, and noted that eggs remain one of the most affordable and nutrient-rich foods for growing children.

Eggs: An Ideal Food For Growing Children

Dr. Rajeev Jayadevan, former President of the Indian Medical Association (IMA) Cochin and Convener of the Research Cell, Kerala, told HealthandMe that eggs are close to an ideal nutritional choice for growing children because they are readily available, economical, easy to prepare, and safe.

"Besides, children love eggs—many of them prefer this to alternative sources of protein," he said.

He added that “egg protein is excellent not only because it contains all essential amino acids—the building blocks of the body—but also because the body can utilize egg protein efficiently after absorption”.

"Many children get their most nutritious meal from school, and eggs are a good choice to be a part of it," he said.

According to Dr. Amit Prakash Singh, Consultant – Internal Medicine at CK Birla Hospital, Delhi, eggs are among the most affordable and nutrient-dense foods, providing high-quality protein along with essential nutrients such as choline, vitamin B12, vitamin D, iron and selenium.

"These nutrients are particularly important during childhood, when the brain and body are growing rapidly. For many children who rely on mid-day meals as a significant source of daily nutrition, an egg can bridge critical nutritional gaps and support healthy growth, cognitive development and immunity," he told HealthandMe.

Dr. Singh added that removing eggs from school meals without ensuring an equally nutritious alternative may increase the risk of protein and micronutrient deficiencies, especially among vulnerable populations.

"Investing in children's nutrition is an investment in the nation's future. Policies around school meals should be guided by scientific evidence and nutritional needs, ensuring every child has access to balanced, wholesome food that helps them reach their full potential," he said.

Why Eggs Are Considered A Nutritional Powerhouse

Priyanka Arora, Senior Dietician at SGRH, told HealthandMe that eggs are considered a nutritional powerhouse, offering a highly bioavailable source of complete protein, healthy fats and essential micronutrients.

Key nutritional benefits of eggs:

• Nutritional powerhouse: Eggs provide a highly bioavailable source of complete protein, healthy fats and essential micronutrients.
• High-quality protein: One large egg contains about 6–7 grams of protein and all nine essential amino acids, making it important for muscle growth and repair.
• Supports brain health: Eggs are one of the best dietary sources of choline, a nutrient essential for memory, cognitive function and liver health.
• Promotes eye health: Egg yolks are rich in the antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin, which help protect against age-related eye conditions such as cataracts.
• Rich in essential nutrients: Eggs contain vitamins A, D, B12 and riboflavin, along with essential minerals such as selenium, iron and iodine.
• Affordable and versatile: Eggs are among the most budget-friendly sources of high-quality animal protein and can be easily prepared in various ways, including boiled, poached, scrambled or baked.

When it comes to misleading advertisements, Indian packaged snack brands get away with plenty. However, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) recently flagged down a famous biscuit brand over its claim of healthy ingredients.

Biscuit Brand Under FSSAI Scrutiny Over Misleading Claims

According to a post on X by FSSAI’s official handle, the food authority issued a notice to SAJ Food Products following a consumer complaint regarding misleading claims of healthy ingredients in ‘Eat Fit Digestive Biscuits’.

According to FSSAI, the complaint stated that the product's front label claimed “100% Atta”, while the ingredients list disclosed only 72.33% atta. It also contains other ingredients and additives that are not in compliance with the FSSAI advisory on discontinuing 100% claims.

This comes across as a gross violation, especially as consumers purchase certain food products based on comparatively healthier ingredients.

Apart from misrepresenting the quantity of wheat, the brand also made a “No Added Sugar” claim on its packaging, which was also found to be misleading.

In reality, the biscuits contain equally unhealthy sweeteners like maltodextrin and glucose syrup solids, making them unsuitable for the masses, especially those with diabetes and insulin resistance.

FSSAI Questioned The Product’s Label

Apart from the biscuits’ ingredients, the food safety authority also questioned the brand to explain the product’s name - Eat Fit Digestive. In accordance with the Food Safety and Standards (Advertising & Claims) Regulations, 2018, the brand is required to produce a scientific justification for using the title.

The manufacturer has been directed to provide an explanation for the aforementioned claims within seven days. Upon failure to do so, the regulatory body will initiate suitable action under the provisions of the FSS Act, 2006.

When FSSAI Thwarted '100%' Claims

Indian packaged food brands are likely to face stricter scrutiny as, on May 28, 2025, the food regulatory body issued a notice, discontinuing the usage of ‘100%’ claims on packaging.

Deeming the term “ambiguous”, FSSAI said that it did not fit into its definitions according to the FSS Act, 2006.

In the light of the new advisory, FSSAI also issued a notice to at least 15 Indian food brands, including Emami Healthy & Tasty, Health Aid, Troovy, The Healthy Factory, Healthy Master, Healthy Choice, Plan B, and Neuherbs.

Emami Healthy & Tasty, the cooking oils arm of the Kolkata-based Emami Group, is the most prominent on the list. FSSAI said its trade name could mislead consumers as well as violate its regulations.

The Healthy Factory's ‘zero maida whole wheat bread’ and ‘zero maida pizza base’ were also questioned by the FSSAI. It said that the brand’s claims violated the applicable regulations of the body.

FSSAI also issued notices to other brands, such as Healthy Master for its tagline, ‘vision to serve healthy’, Healthy Choice's ‘healthy food for healthy life poha’, and Health Aid's brand name seemed to mislead consumers about the nature of the products.