Health Dept promotes World Toilet Day

BANGKOK, Nov 18 (TNA) -- The Thai Department of Health is promoting the annual World Toilet Day, which falls on every November 19, advising all tourist locations to increase hygiene at their restrooms to prevent the spreading of diseases, while also aiming to better develop toilets for the elderly and those with disabilities. Director-general of Health Department Dr Wachira Pengjuntr, together with Deputy Permanent Secretary of Tourism and Sports Wannasiri Morakul announced the promotion of clean toilets at tourist destinations ahead of the World Toilet Day tomorrow, under the theme, "Fun Trip, Good Health". He said the aim of the project is to give support for toilet developments at 12 targeted locations, which are most frequently used by the public, including tourist attractions, gas stations, restaurants, fresh markets, schools, hospitals, bus terminals, parks, and department stores, in order to lift the quality of the restrooms at each location in line with the department's operational plan for 2015. He said the project would also encourage each location to construct more leveled grounds with railings for the elderly and people with disabilities to use, without the need of wheelchairs. Dr Wachira said, in 2015 alone, more than 2.4 billion people worldwide are lacking the access to proper sanitation system, where about 1 billion others are still using open spaces as their toilets, which increase the chance of diseases among women and children, where as the lack of proper toilets has heightened the risk of sexual violence. Both reasons have promoted the international community to mark every November 19, as World Toilet Day to raise awareness on the importance of having proper toilets not to promote sanitation but to prevent untoward incidents as well. Additionally, the Health Department has also encouraged all entrepreneurs to maintain the safety and hygiene of their restrooms, by frequently cleaning places which have used often, such as spray hose, toilet seat, flush handle, railings, door knobs and locks, sinks, and restroom floors to prevent diseases. (TNA)