What Is The Importance Of Sanitation

A recent survey in the British Medical Journal showed that their readers believed sanitation to be the most important medical milestone since 1840 (UNICEF and WHO, 2009, p. 11). Sanitation is seen as one of the crucial factors in improving public health in developing countries. By including water supply, sanitation and hygiene in the Millennium Development Goals, the world community has acknowledged the importance of their promotion as development interventions. Inadequate water and sanitation infrastructure, coupled with unsafe hygiene behaviours, cause diarrhoea and other deceases, which are blamed for 2 million child deaths annually (Pattanayak and Pfaff, 2009, p. 192). However, access to basic sanitation facilities is not enough to significantly improve public health. Research shows that use of improved sanitation facilities and hygienic behaviours are also needed. Therefore, in order to achieve real improvement in public health apart from state’s commitment and

However, some social indicators such as reducing the under-five mortality rate still need attention. Detailed research conducted and supported (in partneship???) by the government, non-governmental organisations and international institutions identified that ……

This essay will firstly introduce definitions and brief theoretical background on sanitation’s importance for social development and public health and current strategies in ensuring sustainable access to sanitation. Secondly, it will locate these debates in the specific Bhutanese context. This will be followed by a brief overview of the history of sanitation provision in Bhutan since 1970s and in depth discussion of current roles of institutions at the community and state levels in improving access to sanitation in Bhutan and ensuring sustainability and use of improved sanitation facilities throughout the country.

Theoretical