Though more than 80 percent of the people of Bhutan have access to water and sanitation facilities, diseases like diahorrea, skin infection and common cold are still causing death to large number of children in Bhutan. In this election, the candidates of the two parties explained various plans and programs their government would introduce to assure the supply of clean and hygienic water.
Kuensel Online reports:
Since the first five-year development plan in 1961, development of water and sanitation facilities has always been a priority. His Majesty the Fourth King proclaimed that water and sanitation was a basic right for every Bhutanese citizen in his Royal Edict of 1992.
Today 84.3 percent of the households in Bhutan have access to improved water and 81 percent to improved sanitation facilities, according to the Population and Housing Census of Bhutan, 2005.
But diarrhoea, common cold and skin infection are still the three leading causes of infant and child mortality in the country. This used to be the scenario when sanitation and safe drinking water coverage in the country was a staggering under 50 percent.
It means that the government is still spending a huge amount in treating these diseases, which should have declined with the rise in water and sanitation facilities.
All of Bhutan is rural area and people are not highly educated. As a result, water shortage and hygiene are major problems for the country. Still, in many areas people have to walk a long distance to get water. Even school children have to walk a long way for water during their school hours. This is a serious problem for female students who are at their menstruation stage.
Currently, operation and maintenance of water and sanitation facilities, rapidly increasing population, drying water source, lack of ownership, financial constraints, and lack of practice of proper hygiene are some of the major problems Bhutan is facing.
Yesterday, the first general election took place in Bhutan. Whoever wins the election does not matter. What matters most is that the party in power should work toward the betterment of the people. Looking at the crisis of their neighboring countries- Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal where democracy has not been so successful, Bhutanese people are afraid that democracy will start corruption and mis-management. To eradicate their doubts and ensure the continuation of the democratic government the parliament members should take necessary steps to solve the water problem of Bhutanese people.
Related article:
Kuensel Online
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No doubt, pure water is neede to keep safe and healthy. No animal and human can keep alive without water. However, this news hurt me deeply. I hope recent government should take any important steps to solve the water as people can do their home choras easily.
Posted by: kamrul hasan | March 27, 2008 2:19 AM | Permalink to Comment