Ulaanbaatar
Proper solutions of sanitation facilities discussed
PoliticsUlaanbaatar /MONTSAME/ International consultative meeting on “Solution of sanitary facilities in countries with cold climate" was jointly held by the Ministry of Health, National Center of Public Health, Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation and UNICEF on March 13 at the Shangri-La Hotel in Ulaanbaatar.
The meeting was inaugurated with an award presenting ceremony and Health Minister A.Tsogtsetseg and other representatives, including Roberto Benes, Resident Representative of UNICEF Mongolia handed over the prizes. In particular, the First State Clinic won the first place for the category of “The best health care institution” from 9 hospitals chosen in the contest and medical centers of Gobi-Altai and Sukhbaatar provinces took second and third places respectively.
Also, a photography competition under the theme "Sanitary Facilities' Solutions – Healthy Environment “ was organized within the event and MONTSAME News Agency photo-correspondent D.Chadraabal won first place for his series of photos "Simple Solution - Healthy Environment". He was awarded a Canon digital camera. Gamma Agency photographer D.Davaanyam and Dursamj Union photographer T.Munkhbadrakh secured second and third places.
The two-day meeting aims to expand inter-sector cooperation through discussion of the issues on increasing access to improved sanitation facilities with advanced and eco-friendly technologies and mutually sharing experiences on the proper solutions of sanitary facilities suited to the countries with cold climate.
This time, a total of 16 reports covering 4 areas of sanitation solutions, soil pollution and approaches to reduce pollution were introduced at the event. Furthermore, discussions on further solutions and actions are being held among the participants with an aim to make recommendations and seek gateways and solutions.
Over 170 representatives from public organizations and NGOs operating across the country as well as researchers from the USA, United Kingdom, China and Germany and World Health Organization, World Bank, World Vision Mongolia and Red Cross Mongolia participated in the consultative meeting.
In this connection, 68 percent of the population of Mongolia is living in urban areas as of 2015. And around 1.4 million people live in the capital city, 48.8 percent of which has access to improved sanitation facilities and 97.3 percent of residents in Ger district areas of Ulaanbaatar city uses sanitary facilities which do not meet certain requirements.
