Solok Wins City Award For Sanitation

Illustration of people in the watershed who still use latrines to defecate. (Antara)

SOLOK - Solok City received an award for community-based total sanitation (STBM) as a city to stop open defecation (BABS) or 100 percent Open Defecation Free (ODF).

Solok Deputy Mayor Ramadhani Kirana Putra said the award was an indicator of the acceleration of stunting reduction from the Central Indonesian Environmental Health Experts Association (HAKLI).

According to him, the award that has been received is proof that all areas in Solok City have been free from open defecation.

"Success in the implementation of the STBM program cannot be separated from the role of all parties, both the government, the community, and all elements involved," he said in Solok, quoted from Antara, Tuesday, September 13.

This award is a form of appreciation from the central government, namely HAKLI, for the success of a region in changing clean and healthy living behavior.

"This achievement is the result of the efforts of the local government, HAKLI Solok City, the health office, and forkopimda as well as the people of Solok City in campaigning and supporting a clean and healthy life," he said.

Solok City HAKLI chairman Wendri Herman said the award was also a form of appreciation from the central government for the Solok City Government's ability to produce new innovations based on the five STBM pillars, namely stopping open defecation, washing hands with soap, managing drinking water and food, managing waste and liquid waste management.

"The Sustainable STBM Award requires regions to reach 100 percent stop open defecation and make health innovations that are empowering and beneficial to the community," he said.

He continues to invite all components of stakeholders and the public to improve clean and healthy living behavior by cultivating STBM in order to prevent environmental-based stunting and infectious diseases.

Wendri expressed his gratitude to all parties who have played an active role in helping to encourage access to proper sanitation in order to a healthy and safe society.

"In the future, we hope that the Community-Based Total Sanitation (STBM) of the five sustainable pillars can be won," he said.

In addition, of course with innovations and commitments as well as support from all parties. This is to create a clean and comfortable city of Solok for the community.

"Thank you to the Solok City Government and all other stakeholders who have supported efforts to improve access to sanitation so that through continuous program collaboration and awarding for those who have reached the ODF category," he said.