Bhutan

As you can see from the map, the country of Bhutan is high in the Himalayas. We take prenatal care for granted in this country, but in places like Bhutan, it's a new concept.

Mother & child care: challenges remain
November 03

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On a two week working visit to Bhutan, from October 16 to 30, the Regional Director of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in South Asia, Ms.Ceceila Lotse, said that Bhutanese women and children were blessed with a favorable and a committed government working to fulfill their needs and aspirations.

Ms. Lotse, who visited schools and health units in Punakha and Wangduephodrang, said the intention of the visit was to go around the country to understand and see the developmental activities, especially involving women and children.

“It is heartening to see that the government’s continued effort to extend education to all has been successful,” she said.

The non-formal education (NFE) programme, according to the regional director, was a blessing for those deprived of early education. “It is great to see that people are made to feel they are not left behind in a society that is developing quickly,” she said.

The regional director, however, pointed out that challenges remain. For instance, Bhutan’s harsh topography posed problems where children had to walk long distances to reach school.

“These are some of the challenges where UNICEF and the government can work collaboratively,” she said.

While Bhutan’s maternal mortality rate was high in the region, Ms. Lotse said that the policy decision made to introduce institutional delivery was commendable. “The main challenge that remains is to convince expectant mothers to visit the available health units on time,” she said, adding that this would tremendously help to bring down the high rate.

Ms. Lotse, who met with the prime minister, Lyonpo Sangay Ngedup, the chief justice, Lyonpo Sonam Tobgye and the cabinet ministers, also expressed her satisfaction on Bhutan’s commitment to realise the provisions of the Convention on Rights of Child (CRC) of which Bhutan is a signatory.

“CRC is relatively a new instrument and there is need to incorporate ways to create awareness among the people about it,” she said.

By Karma Chodenkchoden@kuensel.com.bt