SSH4A programme aims for district wide coverage in Pemagatshel by 2013

In 2011, Pemagatshel Dzongkhag became the focus of the next phase of the Ministry of Health's Rural Sanitation and Hygiene Programme on the request of the Dasho Dzongda and the Dzongkhag Administration.

The programme is a District wide approach to improving access to safe sanitation and hygiene practices with support from SNV over the next two years as part of Sustainable Sanitation and Hygiene for All Programme(SSH4A) .

In November 2011, the Hon'ble Minister for Healt Lyonpo Zanglay Drukpa inaugurated the first of 109 Community Development Health Workshops in Dungmin Geog as part of the World Toilet Day celebrations.

The workshops now underway are facilitated by health staff and reach more than 3,000 rural households across the District in the next 6 months. CDH aims to raise awareness of the importance of improving sanitation for health and quality of life.

It emphasises the central roles of householders and the importance of community ownership and collective action in improving sanitation for all, rather than reliance on external subsidy. For if even one householder does not have access to sanitation then it impacts on the wider community.

The workshops are supported by activites that focus on strengthening sanitation supply chain, hygiene behaviour change communication and inclusive governance.

On the 2ndof March 2012 the leaders of the 11 sub-districts and the district met in Pemagatshel to renew their commitments and set targets. The aim is to achieve 100% to improve sanitation for all by March 2013.