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That we keep a shinier sheen than Pakistan and even India in terms of socio-economic indicators has been pretty much an acknowledged fact. Now to our modest delight sans complacency, we glimpse a value addition to that score-card: It is heartening to note that in rearing up future generations, Bangladesh has forged ahead of India and Pakistan, according to World Bank's Human Resource Index (HRI), 2018.
Among 157 countries evaluated, Bangladesh ranks 106th compared with India at 115th and Pakistan at 134th. The response of Shamsul Alam, member, General Economic Division of Planning Commission, to the WB's inspiring evaluation found an instant resonance. He said, "During the last decade the government had placed high priority on human resource development -- its annual investments in education and health sectors have been on the rise."
By a current reckoning, Bangladeshi children, based on their access to education and healthcare, are poised to be more productive than their Pakistani and Indian counterparts. More intelligibly, a child in Bangladesh reaching adulthood through existing levels of facilities (education and healthcare), are likely to grow up to be 48 per cent 'productive'. In other words, the productivity lag will still be 50 per cent plus, say a decade or so into the future. Thus, it needs to be bridged with an accelerated improvement in human resource development parameters.
Our target should be transforming the adolescents into skilled, fully employable human resource in sync with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to be achieved by the 2030 cut-off mark. We have somewhat fallen behind that timeline, especially in respect of certain goals that are well-identified.
Yes, we have had a head-start in some of the basics; but these will have to be built up on with due diligence. We need to focus on the deficit or deficient areas.
Colaterally or in parallel to the above, we need to dwell on another World Bank study titled 'Promising Progress: A Diagnostic of Water Supply, Sanitation, Hygiene and Poverty in Bangladesh'. The report made 'startling disclosures' in Dhaka last Thursday. Giving credit where it is due -- 'the country has made significant progress in access to water and sanitation' -- the presenter of the report, WB senior economist George Joseph pointed to 41 per cent improved drinking water sources being still contaminated with Escherichia (E coli). The high faecal contamination (E coli) in improved water sources is adduced to 'inadequate treatment at source.'
The leaky network of water supply also 'increases the risk of contaminants being drawn in,' explained the presenter.
The report recognised that Bangladesh has 'successfully' eliminated the practice of open defecation, admittedly a huge hygienic stride made in a country of 160 million people. This is, however, not be oblivious of 50.8 million people still sharing primitive-style toilets. Worryingly, only 28 per cent of the toilets has soap and sufficient water supply.
A serious deviation from national standards is in schools deplorably lacking toilets, especially for female students. While the ratio of toilets for female students in primary schools is 130 to 1.0 that of male is 160 to 1.0.
Another shocking revelation is that only 7.0 per cent of the urban population is connected to piped sewerage system.
In addition to E coli strains, nearly 13 per cent of ground water sources are said to be contaminated with arsenic. This is especially true about Chattogram and Sylhet regions.
The children living in five largest slums in urban areas have highest stunting (both mental and physical) rate -- nearly 50 per cent.
It is kind of stating the obvious that improved quality of water and sanitation can help reduce poverty and accelerate economic growth.
"Invest in WASH (water, sanitation and hygiene) to increase productivity of the work force", should be the motto. This having regard to the World Health Organisation (WHO)'s estimate that a dollar worth of investment in 'universal household water and sanitation access in South Asia can ensure a return of nearly five dollars.'