An empowered lead entity at the national level must be established to ensure that sanitation, sewerage and septage targets and plans are met and that critical policies, including the National Sanitation Code, are strictly implemented.
Furthermore, necessary reforms are needed to pull in investments in sanitation, sewerage and septage facilities throughout the country, especially in highly urbanized cities (HUCs). Thus, any amendment or revision to existing national policies should articulate specific national targets and detailed strategies that can eliminate open defecation as well as facilitate local planning and budgeting for expansion of coverage, among others. This could be accompanied by legislative action, if required.