Upon holding several bilateral and multilateral talks during the United Nations General Assembly in New York recently, Foreign Minister Dr Tandi Dorji shared that UNICEF has agreed to support the government with the 1000 golden day plus programme in the country.
The programme is a government’s initiative which is an investment for a healthy and economically productive future generation. The 1,000 days between a woman’s pregnancy and her child’s second birthday offer a unique window of opportunity to build a healthier and more prosperous future.
“On the multilateral front, my main meeting was with UNICEF. They have always supported us. From the UN bodies, UNICEF has been the biggest support in terms of financial support. And regarding the 1000 golden day plus and cash incentives to support the mothers, I met with the Executive Director herself and she agreed to support us,” said Dr Tandi Dorji, the Foreign Minister.
The first 1,000 days are a time of tremendous potential and enormous vulnerability. How well or how poorly mothers and children are nourished and cared for during this time has a profound impact on a child’s ability to grow, learn and thrive. This is because the first 1,000 days are when a child’s brain begins to grow and develop and when the foundations for their lifelong health are built.
“If we can really do this which we are really passionate about doing, that will facelift the primary healthcare of our system. What we have now is the conventional style, we don’t have a high-end programme. So once this 1000 golden day plus is rolled out and the people receive it well, this will be one very good boost,” said Dr Lotay Tshering, the Prime Minister.
The government will implement the programme next year through financial incentives to all the mothers during the thousand days period. The 1000 golden day plus programme will lay the foundation for nurturing bright children, healthy and productive adulthood.
Sonam Pem
