Only 39 percent use improved sanitation system

Although the country has attained 85 percent sanitation coverage, few people are using sanitary latrines, speakers at a view exchange meeting said yesterday.
Only 39 percent of people across the country are using improved sanitation systems, which include flush or pour flush to piped sewer system, septic tank, pit latrine or ventilated improved pit latrine with slab and composting toilet, they said.
They called for raising awareness about improved sanitation to promote good hygiene practices among the people so that they always use sanitary latrines and wash their hands with soap or ashes after defecation.
Bangladesh Nari Sangbadik Kendra (BNSK) and Unicef jointly organised the meeting on International Year of Sanitation. DFID supported the programme.
Considering the importance of sanitation, the UN General Assembly declared 2008 as the International Year of Sanitation (IYS). The government will launch the programmes of IYS on March 22.
The objectives of IYS are to improve sanitation in the country and raise awareness about good hygiene practice, said Qumrun Nahar, water, environment and sanitation (WES) specialist of Unicef.
Improvement in sanitation would contribute to good health, she said.
Hygiene practice will also help save the environment, said Paul Edward, chief of Water and Environmental Sanitation Section, Unicef.
Chief of Communication Section of Unicef Christine Jaulmues, BNSK Chairman Nasimun Ara Huq Minu, journalist Hasan Shahriar, Communication Specialist of Unicef Arifa S Sharmin and government officials were present at the meeting.