Low income community specially waste and sanitation workers are exposed to higher risks of injury, infection and mortality. These risks are amplified by the lack of access and affordability of quality healthcare services by them. In event of debilitating illnesses and deaths of waste and sanitation workers, who are often the main earner, leave their families to face the challenge of income loss and economic shock.
WaterAid, in partnership with Waadaa. Insure, an insurance brokerage, co-created the Shasthya Nirapotta Scheme (SNS) insurance package for low income community specially for the waste and sanitation workers and their families. It works to make healthcare more affordable and to lessen financial shock due to deaths.
Benefits
Annual premium subscription of BDT 199 enable upto 40% discount in 216 listed hospitals and BDT 30,000 coverage upon death of policy holder. Discounts cover out-patient department (OPD), in-patient department (IPD), drugs, and diagnosis services.
Impact in numbers
19,286
families covered under the SNS scheme as of March 2025
families covered under the SNS scheme as of March 2025
10,000+
waste and sanitation workers among the SNS scheme distributed in two years of deployment
waste and sanitation workers among the SNS scheme distributed in two years of deployment
1,200,000BDT
was received by 40 families as settlement for death claims as of December 2024
was received by 40 families as settlement for death claims as of December 2024
Health Campaigns at 5 municipalities
Under the SNS scheme, five health campaigns were organised in Sakhipur, Saidpur, Teknaf, Lalmonirhat, and Laxmipur—bringing together medical experts and sanitation workers for collaborative action.
Social media snippets
Several municipalties and partner organisations have posted about SNS in their social media profiles.
Improving social protection for sanitation workers
Sanitation workers are crucial for maintaining clean environments and safeguarding public health. This study in Bangladesh highlights the barriers sanitation workers encounter and offers practical recommendations to address these challenges.
News coverage
Related publications
Risk and vulnerability of sanitation and waste workers during COVID-19 pandemic in five major cities of Bangladesh
The objectives of the study are to understand their knowledge, practices and concerns regarding the COVID-19 pandemic and to find out the gaps to improve their health and safety.
Access to social protection by sanitation workers in South Asia
WaterAid commissioned a study in Pakistan, Nepal and Bangladesh to assess sanitation workers’ access to social protection in South Asia and to suggest practical recommendations.
স্যানিটেশন কর্মীদের জীবনগাথা
A special edition published by Samakal, a reputated news media in Bangladesh.