South Asia Conference on Sanitation ( SACOSAN-IV) Ichharam Dulal Chief Engineer Royal Government of Bhutan Ministry of Health/MoWHS

OUTLINE COUNTRY BACK GROUND INSTITUTIONAL SET UP On-GOING PROGRAMME KEY ACHIEVEMENTS IN SANITATION CHALLENGE RECOMMENDATION CONCLUSION

Bhutan - Location

Country Profile

Population = 0.634millio Area = 38,394 sq km Administration; 20 districts

“Gross National Happiness is more important than Gross National Product” emphasis on balanced and holistic development approach towards achievement of material and non-material such as spiritual, emotional and cultural) needs of individual and society

Key facts & figures CapitalThimphu LanguageDzongkha (official) Major religionBuddhism Agriculture 79% rural Revenue earning hydropower Life expectancy66.1 years Infant immunization90 % Literacy rate59.5%

Ministry of Health Department of Public Health Public Health Engineering Division (design sanitation promotion / hygiene education strategies and implementation) Basic Health Units V i l l a g e s a n d H o u s e h o l d s District Health Sector Institutional Arrangements

Ministry of Works & Human Settlement Department of Urban Development and Engineering Services (design sanitation facilities & promotional materials / hygiene education strategies and implementation) District Engineering Cells Municipal Corporations Urban Residents Institutional Set Up of Urban Sanitation Programme

Sanitation Coverage (rural)

On-going Programs Rural Water Supply and Sanitation (MoH) Urban Water and Sanitation (MoWHS) Comprehensive School Health ( MoE) –Formulate school health policy –Training teachers, –Health promotional activities, – provides physical facilities Religion and Health project ( MoHCA & MoH)

Key Achievements-post sacosan III Sanitation guideline has been developed Pilot Ecosan has been completed - in four blocks - covered both rural communities as well as schools. - constructed 80 units of ecosan toilet during pilot phase

Key Achievements-contd Rural Sanitation and Hygiene Programme (RSHP )- pilot project taken up in four district Improved latrine initiated in schools. Capacity building for construction of school latrines is in progress/ completed. RSHP project activities indicating progress status during pilot phase (detail in next slide)

ActivityStatus 1Piloting of baseline study in four pilot blocks – 2 in east, 1 in west and 1 in central region Completed 2Fieldwork in pilot blocks to develop attractive, affordable and durable toilet designs for typical household settings completed 3Fieldwork in pilot blocks to test and develop community-led approaches for sanitation and hygiene behaviour change completed 4Initiated drafting of National Sanitation Policy, Guidelines and Legislation Ongoing 5Technical evaluation shall be carried out very soonYet to Begin 6Scaling up activities shall be carried out after the evaluationdo Rural Sanitation & Hygiene Programme ( collaboration with SNV )

Key Achievements-contd Trained 32 district masons in construction of school latrines in FY Trained 47 district masons in FY Piloting of Water Safety Management Plan (WSP) in three districts completed in 2010 Up scaling of WSP in 6 districts in progress (started on March 7, 2011) Hand book on Toilet technologies for Rural household in Bhutan (near Complete)

Road map from sacosan III Country commitmentSatisfactory Promoted RSHP programme Continuation of CDH workshop Promote sanitation technology choice options Piloted ecosan successfully in 4 distericts Enabling policiesSatisfactory Re-formulation of RWSS sector policy Monitoring & sustaining changesatisfactory Implementation of CPMW and CDH workshop Financialsatisfactory Governments commitment Effective and accountable institutionsatisfactory Clear line of actors

OBSERVED GLOBAL HAND WASHING DAY Observed the day in one of the school in Thimphu. Students are the good agent to pass the sanitation messages. To promote hygiene practices through the event. Increase hand washing practices with soap Increase the frequency of bathing and laundering

World toilet day Event to promote awareness on importance of toilet - 19 th November inaugurated RSHP toilet constructed in eastern district to mark the event - displayed sanitation fair giving different toilet options as part of the event Such event reminds of the need to have hygienic toilet

Challenges Leading causes for morbidity is still water/sanitation related illness. Appropriate technology –suitable for different Socio-economic and cultural situations Sustainability Inadequate facilities Inadequate awareness Lack of adequate trained and qualified persons. Lack of adequate fund

Recommendations Enhanced Sanitation promotion activities and public awareness (media, observing special days like world water day, world hand washing day etc) Develop National Sanitation Policy. Capacity building ( long term HRD programme) Development of alternative/appropriate tech. Develop specific programme like-CDH with regular monitoring mechanism. Training health workers and the local community to ensure sustainability of basic sanitation facilities in rural areas.

Conclusions The Bhutanese Delegation acknowledged the hospitality extended to us and thank the Govt. of Sri Lanka for making SACOSAN IV a great success. Such forums are useful and provides platform for sharing experience/ good practices and review progress, enhanced networking and develop future road map. Bhutan fully supports the continuation of SACOSAN conference in the years to come to realize the dream of total sanitation in South Asia.

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