The implementation of maternity allowance will be rolled out within a year according to the Health Minister. During the question hour session in the National Assembly today, the Minister said the government is all set to roll out the new initiative that will provide maternity allowance for one thousand golden days of a child. Moreover, a new mother and child hospital in Monggar will also be constructed.
To introduce allowances that match the daily wage rate for women in rural areas during the initial months of childbirth has been one of the pledges of the current government. Jomotshangkha Martshala’s Member of Parliament (MP) Norbu Wangzom asked the Health Minister for an update on the plan.
According to the Health Minister, the allowance will be provided for 1000 days, counted from the day a child is conceived. Under this initiative, a pregnant mother who is not entitled to six months maternity leave will be paid a daily minimum wage rate.
“We have completed the line listing of all mother and child in our country. In collaboration with banks, we will let the mother open a bank account from the day a child is conceived. This will give our women financial empowerment. The allowance will be deposited directly in their bank account and we will also give them financial literacy. We have sat with the RMA and everything is ready,” said Dechen Wangmo, the Health Minister.
Meanwhile, Lyonpo also shared that a mother and child hospital will also be constructed in Monggar.
“Compared to the health services we provide for mother and child here in Thimphu, we have seen that services are limited in the Eastern and Southern region. Therefore we have pledged to construct a mother and child hospital in Monggar which actually is not in our earlier pledges. We have the budget ready and we have also allocated the place where to build,” added Lyonpo.
The Health Minister also informed that only about 20 per cent of pregnant women complete antenatal care. To complete antenatal care, a mother has to visit the hospital for checkup eight times. Incomplete antenatal care can affect the child and the nation at large. The minister also said taking care of mother and child is important to build a stronger nation.
Kinley Dem/Sonam Pem/Kelzang Choden
