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.

The government should therefore boost hygiene promotion to bring about behaviour changes to curb the spread of preventable diseases. When households have access to water and sanitation facilities, it is important for the users to practice good hygiene, like drinking safe water, proper cleaning of toilets, washing hands, feet and vessels and preparing food hygienically.

Even as this article is being written, most of the existing facilities are being rendered defunct and many water sources are drying up. Though there is abundant water resources in the country, some people are still spending hours fetching water and defecating in the open. School children spend hours fetching water, which will eventually effect their academic performance as this chore tire them immensely.

Also, lack of proper toilets, which offer privacy, will discourage menstruating children from attending classes regularly.

The observations from field visits show that the most common problems, associated with operation and maintenance of water and sanitation facilities, were pressure on existing facilities from a rapidly increasing population, drying of water source, lack of ownership, financial constraints, no or meagre maintenance budget and lack of practice of proper hygiene like hand washing.

Ensuring sustainable use and maintenance of existing facilities and bringing improved water and sanitation to all the people, especially in remote areas, has become crucial.

Currently, international organizations like UNICEF and WFP are assisting the government in providing water and sanitation facilities to the secular and religious institutes in the country. SNV is in the process of implementing Community Led Total Sanitation. A scooping study has already been initiated in 2007. This year, on World Water Day, the International Year of Sanitation will also be launched.

However, the World Water Day celebration has been postponed to April 12, owing to the fact that public events are discouraged 48 hours before the first general elections in the country on March 24.

Though roads and electricity have taken centrestage in the recent campaigns, safe drinking water, improved sanitation and hygiene promotion are equally important. It will be a relief to see the much awaited Draft Water Act finalized and passed at last.

A solution is warranted to contain the flies and stench from open defecation in the country and the open sewage treatment plant in Babesa, a solution is warranted to provide safe and reliable drinking water to each and every household and make everyone practise good hygiene. It will lead to happier people.