[ad_1]
We declare open Defecation-free by 2022. However, the reality is quite different. From public toilets that are locked after they are built to filthy cubicles across the country, the state of public health in Bhutan is nothing short of a constitutional crisis.
Article 9, paragraphs 1 and 2 of the Bhutanese Constitution states that the State must ensure a good quality of life and promote the goal of gross national happiness. The Bhutan Toilet Organisation (BTO) warned of deteriorating sanitation conditions at a recent religious event in Paro, but this is just the tip of the iceberg. The BTO’s frustration is understandable. After years of campaigning, they have found that their voices have rang hollow and their suggestions have been ignored. Without strong government support, the BTO’s effectiveness will be limited.
Article 9(21) provides that basic public health services are free. In the modern context, this certainly includes public health facilities. However, the failure to provide and maintain adequate public toilets is a violation of this constitutional obligation. The situation in Thimphu is a clear example of this neglect, with only 19 public toilets in the city, many of which are outdated and poorly maintained.
The state’s inaction is not It’s just an inconvenience; it’s a public health crisis in the making. The World Health Organization has stressed that poor sanitation contributes to the spread of disease and antibiotic resistance, and even affects education and economic development. Are we willing to sacrifice our nation’s health and future for something as basic as a toilet?
While Bhutan touts itself as 100% open defecation free, we have simply moved the problem from open fields to locked doors and dirty cubicles. For example, in the town of Paro, a good example is the public toilets, which are only available to bureaucrats who can tick a box on their completion report because the toilets are locked.
It’s time to call a spade a spade: This is a blatant violation of constitutional rights and a public health emergency. The government’s failure to provide clean, accessible toilets is not just negligence, it’s dereliction of duty, undermining the foundation of Gross National Happiness.
Solutions are not complex. They require political will, appropriate resource allocation, and a real commitment to public health. Thromde, Thimphu’s plan to build new toilets and renovate existing ones is a step in the right direction, but it is just the tip of the iceberg. In a sea of need Nationwide.
Furthermore, despite Bhutan promoting itself as a “Bhutanese faith” and claiming to be a clean, carbon negative country, the reality is far from it. The glaring lack of accessible, clean public toilets across the country is in stark contrast to the image we present to the world.
Bhutan’s green image collides with the reality of inadequate public toilets. This gap challenges our claims of sustainable development and commitment to human dignity. Can we truly lead in environmental stewardship when we fail to provide basic sanitation? This discrepancy raises doubts about the authenticity of our country’s green commitments and respect for the well-being of its citizens. It is time for our government to move beyond slogans and take concrete actions. We need a comprehensive, well-funded strategy to address this sanitation crisis. Until then, “Bhutan Believes” risks becoming a dead letter, undermining our credibility as a clean, sanitary and sustainable city on the global stage. Gross National Happiness Country.
Sonam Tsering
Lawyer, Thimphu
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author
[ad_2]
Source link
