Mothers residing outside Bhutan will also be eligible for the government’s Third Child Plus Programme, Health Minister Tandin Wangchuk said during the 30th Meet the Press today. The minister said the programme is a voluntary measure to encourage higher birth rates and is not intended to be a complete solution to Bhutan’s declining fertility rate. Under the scheme, eligible third and subsequent children receive Nu. 10,000 every month from birth until they turn three.
Tandin Wangchuk, Health Minister
“We cannot say this alone will solve the problem. The Nu. 10,000 incentive is meant to encourage them. Still, as the Prime Minister has said, it must be complemented by better access to education, ECCD centres near workplaces, healthcare, employment opportunities, and other essential services. After all, human resources are Bhutan’s greatest asset.”
