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.

In a major regulatory move, the Centre has tightened the rules governing the sale of oral medicinal formulations with high alcohol content. The move is aimed at curbing the misuse of alcohol-containing medicines.

Medicines With Over 12% Alcohol Cannot Be Sold Over The Counter

Under the amended Drugs Rules, 1945, medicines containing more than 12% v/v ethyl alcohol and sold in quantities exceeding 30 mL can no longer be purchased over the counter and will now require a valid prescription from a registered medical practitioner.

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare announced that these products have been removed from the exemptions provided under Schedule K of the Drugs Rules.

As a result, manufacturers and sellers must now comply with these amendments under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, while pharmacies will be allowed to dispense these medicines only against a doctor's prescription.

The amended rules also place these formulations under Schedule H1, a category that mandates stricter controls on the sale of medicines. Pharmacies will be required to maintain detailed records of such sales, including the prescribing doctor's details and the identity of the purchaser.

Also read: Before You Take Another Paracetamol, Read This: Doctors Explain the Hidden Risks

A Step Towards Preventing Misuse

Certain oral formulations, including tinctures of cardamom, ginger and other aromatic preparations, have historically been exempt from licensing requirements despite containing alcohol levels that can reach as high as 80% to 90% by volume.

Officials said these products have increasingly been susceptible to misuse for intoxication, prompting requests from several state governments for tighter regulation.

The Health Ministry emphasized that the new rules are designed to ensure that these medicines remain available for legitimate therapeutic purposes while reducing opportunities for abuse.

By bringing them under the regulated pharmaceutical supply chain, the government expects to improve accountability from manufacturers to retailers and strengthen patient safety.

Not A Blanket Ban On All Alcohol-Containing Medicines

Importantly, the amendment does not amount to a blanket ban on alcohol-containing medicines. Products that contain 12% or less ethyl alcohol, or those packaged in quantities up to 30 mL, are not covered by the new restriction. The revised rules specifically target higher-alcohol formulations sold in larger volumes, which authorities believe carry a greater risk of misuse.

The Ministry also issued clarification about homeopathy medicines that tend to contain high amounts of alcohol. It said that homeopathy already has a similar rule in place since 1994.

Here is section: 106B. [Prohibition of quantity and percentage. [Inserted by G.S.R. 108(E), dated 22.2.1994 (w.e.f. 22.6.1994).] - No Homeopathic medicine containing more than 12% alcohol v/v (Ethyl Alcohol) shall be packed and sold in packing or bottles of more than 30 millilitres, except that it may be sold to hospitals/dispensaries in packings or bottles of not more than 100 millilitres.]

The decision is a push to promote responsible use of medicines while addressing concerns over self-medication and substance misuse.

The government maintains that these regulations will help safeguard public health without affecting access to patients who genuinely need these medicines.

Actress Shamita Shetty recently opened up about her endometriosis diagnosis as well as navigating perimenopause. It has sparked concerns about delayed detection of the condition and risks associated with it.

Shamita Shetty’s Endometriosis Diagnosis

Speaking to Soha Ali Khan on her podcast All About Her alongside gynecological surgeon Dr. Neeta Warty, Shetty shared how her symptoms were dismissed repeatedly, leaving her searching for answers until the pain became unbearable and impossible to ignore.

She said that years of unexplained pain delayed her diagnosis, making her question whether what she was experiencing was simply a “normal” part of being a woman.

Shetty said routine medical tests initially failed to confirm the condition. As her health reports checked fine, she assumed her symptoms were ordinary, even as they kept returning.

“I wasn't given the right diagnosis initially,” Shetty said, explaining that she underwent standard gynecological examinations, including Pap smears, but no underlying cause was identified.

The actress said her symptoms intensified significantly in the months leading up to surgery. Although she considers herself to have a high pain tolerance due to previous injuries, she realized something was seriously wrong when the pain began waking her from sleep. After further investigations, she got diagnosed with endometriosis.

Shetty also revealed that she was entering perimenopause around the same time her symptoms of endometriosis worsened, making it difficult to distinguish between hormonal changes and signs of endometriosis.

Also read: World Population Day: How America's Falling Birth Rate Is Redefining Women's Healthcare?

Raising Awareness

Shetty underwent surgery for endometriosis in May 2024 and has since used her platform to encourage women not to ignore persistent pelvic pain.

During the podcast, she also addressed outdated advice that women with endometriosis should “have a baby” to solve the condition, recalling that one doctor suggested pregnancy as a treatment.

Shetty's diagnosis underscores the importance of paying attention to persistent symptoms rather than dismissing them as ordinary menstrual discomfort.

Severe period pain that disrupts daily activities, chronic pelvic pain, pain during intercourse, heavy menstrual bleeding, or difficulty becoming pregnant should be evaluated by a healthcare professional.

About Endometriosis And Perimenopause

Also read: Beyond The Bump: Why Preconceptions And Antenatal Care Are Key To A Healthy Pregnancy

Endometriosis is a chronic condition in which tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows outside the uterus. The condition often requires long-term management. It can cause symptoms like:

• Pevere pelvic pain
• Painful periods
• Infertility
• Inflammation

On the other hand, perimenopause, the transitional period before menopause, can bring symptoms such as irregular menstrual cycles, hot flashes, mood changes, sleep disturbances, and hormonal fluctuations.

If diagnosed late, endometriosis can lead to complications like:

• Chronic pelvic pain that could worsen over time.
• Reduced fertility or infertility.
• Progression of the disease that could lead to larger lesions and ovarian cysts.
• Scar tissue (adhesions) that can cause organs to stick together.
• More complex surgeries.
• Bowel or bladder complications if the disease spreads beyond the uterus.
• Mental health effects, including anxiety, depression, and poor quality of life.

Recent Advancements In Endometriosis Diagnosis

According to the World Health Organization, endometriosis affects around 190 million women and girls worldwide, or 1 in 10 women of reproductive age.

The organization notes that many women experience diagnostic delays because symptoms are frequently normalized or mistaken for other conditions.

To curb this, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence's (NICE) recently rolled out two non-invasive tests — the saliva-based Endotest and the gut sensor-based EndoSure — to help speed up the diagnosis of endometriosis in England and Wales.

Endotest analyses a saliva sample to identify tiny biological markers called microRNAs that can indicate whether endometriosis is likely to be present.

EndoSure is a non-invasive test that detects endometriosis by measuring electrical signals in the gut using sensor pads placed on the abdomen.

For this test, patients fast for six to eight hours before the test and drink water until full during the 45-minute procedure to help the device accurately record gut activity. Results are available immediately after the test.

A U.S. humanitarian worker in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has tested positive for Ebola, raising fresh concerns as the country struggles with one of the worst Ebola outbreaks.

US Humanitarian Worker In DRC Tests Positive For Ebola

On Friday, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed, saying it is working closely with the individual's employer, U.S. government health agencies, and Congolese health authorities to prevent further transmission by tracing contacts to identify people who may have been exposed.

According to reports, the infected individual was working for a humanitarian organization in eastern Congo, where the outbreak has continued to spread despite ongoing response efforts.

The CDC has not released details about the patient's identity or condition but emphasized that contact tracing and public health measures are underway.

A spokesperson for the U.S. State Department said it is aware of the case and is assisting the affected American.

The spokesperson said, “A U.S. citizen working for a humanitarian organization in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has tested positive for the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus. The CDC is working with the patient's employing organization, other federal agencies and partners in the Democratic Republic of the Congo to help prevent further transmission and identify high-risk contacts.”

The health regulatory body further said, “The risk of Ebola spreading in the United States remains low.”

Also read: Ebola In DRC Is Still In ‘Expansion Phase’: WHO Doctor Opens About Major Challenges In Containing The Outbreak

Ebola Outbreak In DRC: Latest Updates

The case comes as the Democratic Republic of the Congo faces an escalating Ebola crisis. According to the Africa CDC, the outbreak has now reached 1,830 confirmed cases and 648 deaths, making it the fastest-growing Ebola outbreak ever recorded on the continent. The outbreak was officially declared on May 15, 2026, and has spread across multiple provinces in eastern Congo.

Health officials say this outbreak is particularly concerning because it is caused by the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus, a rare variant for which there is currently no approved vaccine or specific antiviral treatment.

WHO Says Actual Number Of Cases Could Be Higher

The World Health Organization (WHO) has also warned that the official case count may significantly underestimate the true scale of the outbreak.

WHO modeling suggests that actual infections could be two to four times higher than reported because many cases are not being detected.

Nearly 80% of newly identified infections in some of the hardest-hit communities cannot be linked to known Ebola patients, indicating widespread community transmission.

The agency also reported that about 70% of deaths early in the outbreak occurred outside treatment centers, making surveillance and contact tracing even more difficult.

WHO Emergencies Director Chikwe Ihekweazu told Reuters, “Eighty percent of the new patients confirmed are coming outside of known contact lists” in Bunia, the epicenter of the outbreak, highlighting widespread undetected transmission.

He also warned, “The true scale of the outbreak is likely two to four times larger than the official figures suggest.”

The latest case highlights the dangers faced by frontline aid workers and underscores the urgency of strengthening outbreak control measures before the virus spreads further.

With no approved vaccine for the Bundibugyo strain and transmission continuing in several provinces, global health officials say rapid detection, isolation, and international cooperation remain essential to bringing the outbreak under control.