The Bhutanese Leading the way.
By Dr Pem Namgyal
Our toilet behaviour has evolved from doing it in the wild to long drop to pit latrines and now modern toilet bowls indoors. While individual toilets are no issue, public toilets have been an issue with regards to the way we use it and their upkeep.
In the olden days we just grabbed a handful of grass or a twig to wipe our backside. That was fine as long as it was in the wild or squatting over a pit latrine. But with modern toilet bowls and flushing system, this does not work. And unlike Indians, we never learnt to use water for ablution. Perhaps we should.
Providing toilet paper is a challenge, especially in public toilets for various reasons. Consequently, people use whatever (other than water) comes handy to wipe their backside. And I see this as a major problem in all public toilets, including in the hospital wards. The hospital is unable to provide adequate toilet paper. So, we have regular blockage of toilets and when our sanitary group try to flush it open, we see all sorts of stuff come out in addition to the biological dump- writing paper, rags, gauze pieces, cotton balls, and even a mobile phone was flushed out recently from blocked toilet pipes! I am sure the last item wasn’t used to wipe but an accidental drop into the toilet pan.
Clearly in today’s world of financial constraint, providing generous supplies of toilet paper in public toilets is challenging. And for the modern toilet and its attached system of flushing, our traditional grass and twigs are no solution. Therefore, we must come up with an appropriate solution. And the more I think of it, water seems the most sustainable and hygienic solution to this smelly issue. What do you say?
Let’s talk.
