A report by Swachh Bharat Mission says that 74.5 per cent of public places are equipped with toilets. Another report by the Ministry of Jal Shakti states that there are 2.23 lakh Community Sanitary Complexes built across all States and UTs under the Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) since October 2014. Over 92 lakh toilets have been constructed since the launch of SBM Gramin (SBM (G)) in April 2020.

While toilets are there, are they accessible? This is the question one should ask. The National Family Health Survey (NFHS) focuses on 131 health indicators, but not until the NFHS 5 survey did they include the question of accessibility of toilets in the survey. This happened after the inputs from the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DDWS) and the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare questioned the accessibility.

One might ask, why is the question of accessibility so important? The answer is quite simple. Access to water, sanitation and hygiene is the most basic human need and is also included under the Sustainable Development Goals by the UN.

Are These Numbers Real?

This thought crossed my mind because back in 2021, I went on a solo trip, on a bus to Udaipur from Delhi. There, the bus made two stoppages. This was done so people could get a quick dinner and freshen up, relieve themselves and be prepared for the rest of the journey. This was a nightmare. The bus only stopped for 10 minutes. While some men used the washroom, others went to the bushes.

For the women, there were three cubicles. One of them was broken, and the other one did not have a light bulb, which meant only one was usable. There was a long queue for that cubicle, and time was short. There was no point in trying to find an isolated corner, because it was past midnight, in an unknown area.

I waited anxiously. When finally, my turn came, I saw an overused, dirty washroom. The toilet seat is in a horrible condition. I wanted to touch nothing there. But I had to pee. So, I used my mask to cover my nose from the odour, folded my pants so they did not touch the floor and squatted. It was quite a task to balance.

On my way back to Delhi, I made sure to not drink any water for over a 13-hour bus journey. I dehydrated myself so I did not have to use the washroom. When I did reach, I was severely dehydrated and was sick for three days.

I shared my experience with my friends only to realise that many women have faced the same. There are no washrooms for women.

A friend of mine told me that it is because these roads and dhabas are mainly designed to serve men. They are the ones who travel at night or are on the roads most of the time. As a result, the few women who do travel or are on the road suffer.

Health Risks Women Are Prone To

Well, it is true, but partially. While holding your pee for too long can lead to health risks, peeing on a dirty toilet seat cannot lead to infections unless your urethra is in contact with the bacteria present on that toilet seat. However, nobody wants to sit on a dirty toilet seat, even if you do not get an infection. A safe and hygienic toilet is a basic need.

One of the regular saleswomen, Usha, who visits my house shared her experience with me. “Being on the road constantly means I must use the dirty public washrooms. But I do not want to use them. So, sometimes I ask my regular customers to let me use their washrooms. Some say yes, and some say no. I understand they are also concerned about their safety and privacy,” she says. As a result, Usha spends most of her day not drinking enough water and holding her pee when she is at work. Due to this, she also suffered from a Urinary Tract Infection (UTI).

Her friend, Halima too faced similar problems and due to increased levels of uric acid in her body, she suffered from Hyperuricemia.

Other health risks are kidney stones and other kidney problems, headaches, dull skin, xerostomia or dry mouth, fatigue, and urinary incontinence, which means losing control over your pelvic floor muscles leading to uncontrolled leakage of urine, seizures and weakness.

What Can You Do?

Wear comfortable clothes and capris. Capri pants are comfortable and are short in length, which means this won’t touch the toilet floor when you squat or sit.

Carry Essentials

Even though you cannot get a UTI alone from sitting on a toilet seat, it is always safe to carry a toilet seat sanitiser. If nothing, it can help you get rid of the bad odour so you can use your stand and pee device inside the toilet. You can also use disposable toilet seat covers if your knees are weak, and you cannot squat. Always flush with your seat down.

Always keep disposable gloves, a portable bidet (fill it with water before use), a pocket liquid handwash, wet wipes, tissues and sanitiser handy. Do not forget to keep extra sanitary pads. It might sound a lot, but I promise that it all fits in one pouch. Use this travel-friendly pouch every time you are on the road, or using a public washroom.

What Can We Learn From Others?

However, in case we do not get these technologically advanced toilets here, you can always pack a travel-friendly toilet kit!

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today, on the occasion of World Health Day 2026, reaffirmed his commitment to building a healthier society and nation.

The Prime Minister also extended gratitude to all healthcare workers for their tireless service to the public health.

He also urged citizens to work together to strengthen healthcare systems and prioritize the well-being of every individual.

“On World Health Day, we express our gratitude to all those who dedicate themselves tirelessly to the service of others and work towards a healthier planet,” PM Modi said in a post on the social media platform X.

“We also reaffirm our commitment to building a healthier society. Let us all keep working together to strengthen healthcare systems and prioritise the well-being of every individual,” he added.

The Ministry of Health also advised people not to ignore signs given by the body, such as

• Fatigue.
• Stress.
• Poor sleep.
• Dehydration.

Health Is Wealth

Union Health Minister JP Nadda highlighted India’s approach to healthcare, which combines “age-old wisdom with modern science, helping improve lives not just at home but across the world”.

Citing government initiatives such as Ayushman Bharat and the PM Bharatiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana, Nadda stated that the “strengthened healthcare system (is) making quality treatment more accessible, affordable, and inclusive for every citizen”.

The Health Minister also expressed "heartfelt gratitude to all doctors, nurses, and frontline workers whose dedication keeps our healthcare system strong. Let us all work together towards building a healthier and stronger nation”.

Meanwhile, Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal urged citizens to make investments for their health.

Calling health "the ultimate wealth”, he said: “This #WorldHealthDay, I urge everyone to take a little more time for themselves”.

The Minister also urged people to “move more, eat better, and prioritize well-being. Let’s also encourage every member of our family to stay fit by making healthier choices together as a family. A healthy Bharat begins at home”.

World Health Day 2026

World Health Day is observed annually on April 7 to mark the founding day of the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1948 for public health worldwide.

World Health Day 2026 will be observed under the theme “Together for health. Stand with science.” It highlights the role of the WHO in promoting public health, which has led to improvements in the global maternal mortality rate, falling by more than 40 percent since 2000, and a reduction of over 50 percent in deaths among children under five.

The WHO stated that science was behind every health progress, which led to improvements in global health and lives. This includes the development of

• anesthesia
• safer medicines and affordable vaccination
• screening technologies, such as electronic blood pressure monitors and mammography tools.

“Science is one of humanity’s most powerful tools for protecting and improving health,” said Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization.

“People in every country live longer and healthier lives on average today than their ancestors did, thanks to the power of science. Vaccines, penicillin, germ theory, MRI machines, and the mapping of the human genome are just some of the achievements that science has delivered that have saved lives and transformed health for billions of people,” he added.

The WHO emphasized that science must continue to guide health decision-making at all levels.

We often assume that having a “normal weight” automatically means being healthy. While body weight is an important parameter, it represents only a small part of overall health. True health is far more complex than what a number on the weighing scale can convey.

Understanding The Limitations Of BMI

Body Mass Index (BMI) is widely used to classify individuals based on their weight relative to height. However, it does not differentiate between fat and muscle. As a result, someone may fall within the normal BMI range yet still have high body fat and low muscle mass, a condition known as “normal weight obesity.” Such individuals may appear healthy but remain at risk for metabolic disorders.

Why Is Body Composition Important?

Body composition analysis offers deeper insight by evaluating fat, muscle mass, and their distribution in the body. A combination of low muscle mass and excess body fat, especially around internal organs, can increase disease risk, even when overall weight appears normal.

The role of fat distribution:

All body fat is not the same. Where fat is stored matters significantly. The waist-to-height ratio is now considered a more reliable indicator than BMI, as it reflects fat distribution. A ratio above 0.5 is associated with a higher risk of conditions such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and even increased mortality.

Looking beyond numbers:

Health cannot be defined by numbers alone. Factors like physical activity, nutrition, stress levels, and sleep quality play an equally critical role. Even individuals with a normal weight can experience poor metabolic health due to inadequate sleep or chronic stress.

The bigger perspective:

Good health is not just about appearance or weight, it is the result of multiple factors working together. It reflects a balance between internal processes and external lifestyle choices.

In essence, being of normal weight does not necessarily mean being healthy. To truly stay well, it is important to look beyond weight and consider the broader picture of health.

Tattoos have long raised health concerns. While they are generally safe when done under proper hygienic conditions, they still pose risks related to safety, the introduction of foreign substances into the body, and potential long-term effects, including cancer.

However, contrary to previously known health risks, a study has claimed that tattoos can actually prevent the risk of the deadliest form of skin cancer – melanoma.

The findings led by researchers from the Huntsman Cancer Institute at the University of Utah in the US showed that having two or more tattoo sessions decreased the risk of both invasive and in situ melanoma. In situ melanoma means the cancer cells remain on the skin’s surface and are more easily removed.

“We see people with two, three, and four tattoo sessions having decreasing risk, and that’s a stronger pattern than the increased risk with just one session,” said Jennifer Doherty, a researcher at Huntsman Cancer Institute.

But “this isn’t a black and white case of ‘get more tattoos, and you could lower your risk of melanoma,’” said Rachel McCarty, post-doctoral scientist at the International Agency for Research on Cancer.

Also read: Shocking! Man Gets A Tattoo On His Neck; Months Later, Flesh Turns Black And Rots Away

How Tattoos Can Prevent Melanoma

The researchers noted that the beneficial effects may be because people with several tattoos are more cautious with sun safety and take better care of their skin.

Tattoos could also form a physical barrier that blocks ultraviolet radiation or cause an immune response against precancerous cells, the researchers explained in the paper.

McCarty said those with tattoos should continue making informed decisions about skin protection.

“Tattoo artists already advise their clients to wear sunscreen and sun protection to prevent tattoos from fading,” McCarty said.

“We know wearing sunscreen is an important safety step for everyone, even without tattoos. But it’s also important for those with tattoos to take extra precautions to prevent any additional harmful components from forming in the skin when pigments break down from UV exposure.”

The researchers have called for more studies to understand the beneficial effects of tattoos.

An earlier project from Doherty’s team and a Swedish study both suggest that tattooing could be connected to an increased risk of certain blood cancers. The study also indicated a greater cancer risk for those with larger tattoos.

What Is Melanoma?

Melanoma is a serious type of skin cancer that develops in melanocytes, the cells responsible for producing melanin, the pigment that gives skin its color. While it can occur anywhere on the skin, it often develops on areas exposed to the sun, such as the face, arms, back, and legs.

Melanoma can also appear in less-exposed areas, like the soles of the feet, palms, or under the nails, particularly in individuals with darker skin tones. Although rare, melanoma may develop in the eyes, mouth, or internal organs.

The condition can be life-threatening if it spreads to other parts of the body, but early detection significantly increases the chances of successful treatment. It is often linked to excessive ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or tanning beds, though genetic predisposition and family history also play roles.

Symptoms Of Melanoma

The primary sign of melanoma is a new or changing mole, freckle, or skin lesion. The "ABCDE rule" helps identify suspicious moles:

• Asymmetry: One half does not match the other.
• Border: Irregular or scalloped edges.
• Color: Multiple shades or unusual colors like red, white, or blue.
• Diameter: Larger than 6 mm (about the size of a pencil eraser).
• Evolving: Changes in size, shape, or color.