An additional 12 gewogs and 2 Dzongkhags were recognised for achieving the status of open defecation-free and 100 per cent improved Sanitation coverage during the World Toilet day celebration in Sarpang Dzongkhag yesterday.
Trongsa and Tsirang were the two Dzongkhags to receive a certificate of memento for achieving open defecation-free and 100 per cent improved sanitation coverage yesterday taking the number of Dzongkhags to four. Around 20 health assistants and 15 local leaders from seven dzongkhags also received certificates and awards for achieving 100 per cent sanitation coverage in their gewogs.
In 2016 Monggar and Samdrup Jongkhar Dzongkhags were honoured for achieving the same.
“Before when we celebrated World Toilet Day, the majority of achievements are from gewogs only but this year we have two dzongkhags. With this, four dzongkhags have achieved open defecation-free and 100 per cent improved sanitation coverage from this year,” said RinchenWangdi, from Public Health Engineering Division at Ministry of Health.
The Sarpang Dzongda, Karma Galay informed the gathering that around 88 per cent of rural communities of Sarpang Dzongkhag have access to improved toilets and the remaining still use the conventional pit toilets. He pledges to have open defecation free and 100 per cent improved sanitation coverage in the coming years:
“Even in construction approval, when we approved the construction of rural areas, we now insist people have the toilet inside their houses. So I think we are going a long way in terms of improving sanitary facilities. Lastly, we know the impact this could have on the overall health involving the population.”
Juliette Haenni, Dy Representative of the UNICEF was the chief guest for the event. She said in her introductory remarks that toilet is not just a toilet but an embodiment of saviour, dignity and disease watchdog. She said inadequate sanitation is estimated to cost about Nu 400,000 death per year due to diarrhoea and over 700 children die every day worldwide due to diarrhoea and urged the gathering to fight and prevent this in Bhutan:
“This year I am very happy to know that two additional Dzongkhags have joined and 12 gewogs in the country have achieved open defecation-free status and 100 per cent improved sanitation coverage. That bring us more than 92 gewogs and that’s over 40% in the country.”
Meanwhile, a study report book, Leave No One Behind and Fecal Sludge Management Guidelines were released. Public Health Engineering Division, Ministry of Health in collaboration with UNICEF, SNV and Sarpang Dzongkhag Health Sector, organized the World Toilet Day, themed “Toilet for All”.
Karma Wangdi.
