𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐬 𝐑𝐢𝐬𝐞 𝐎𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐂𝐚𝐬𝐡 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐟𝐞𝐫 𝐆𝐚𝐩𝐬 𝐈𝐧 𝟏,𝟎𝟎𝟎 𝐆𝐨𝐥𝐝𝐞𝐧 𝐃𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐈𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞

…𝒎𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝒓𝒆𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒕 𝒂𝒃𝒓𝒖𝒑𝒕 𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒑𝒑𝒂𝒈𝒆𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒆𝒍𝒊𝒈𝒊𝒃𝒊𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒚 𝒆𝒓𝒓𝒐𝒓𝒔 𝒂𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒚 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒌𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒐𝒍𝒗𝒆 𝒔𝒚𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒎 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒔

By Kinzang Lhamo

A total of 7,520 mothers across the nation have benefited from the Accelerating Maternal and Child Health Program (AMCHP), also known as the 1,000 Golden Days Initiative. However, inconsistencies in the program’s cash transfer system have raised concerns among beneficiaries and lawmakers. During the National Assembly session, Dorji Wangmo, the Member of Parliament from Kengkhar Weringla, said that some eligible mothers were incorrectly marked ineligible, while others experienced delays or missing payments even though they shared similar socio-economic conditions.

Launched on February 12, 2025, the AMCHP is a nationwide program designed to strengthen maternal and child health services starting from conception until a child reaches two years of age. The initiative aims to increase the use of maternal, neonatal and child health services, promote positive health-seeking behaviour and ensure women in all 20 Dzongkhags have access to essential support during pregnancy and early childhood.

A major component of the program is a conditional cash transfer of Nu. 1,500 per month for eligible pregnant and lactating mothers facing economic and social vulnerabilities. Health Minister Lyonpo Tandin Wangchuk highlighted the initiative’s purpose and said, “For mother and child, by providing health facilities and improving them, we started this initiative. In public health, the first 1,000 days are critical for brain development and immunity, so it is our chance to do the best during that period.”

The monthly allowance is intended to cover travel costs to health facilities, compensate for lost working hours in rural communities and supplement nutritional intake for women experiencing financial challenges. The program is funded by the Government of Japan and administered by the World Bank, with a total allocation of USD 2.87 million (Nu. 202.13 million).

Addressing concerns about selection, Lyonpo said that the program’s limited coverage follows eligibility criteria set by development partners and is not influenced by preferential treatment. “We wish we could support all mothers, but we can only provide it to those who meet the required criteria,” he said.

Eligibility is determined through an electronic proxy test made up of 11 questions. Lyonpo acknowledged that there were challenges in the system and said improvements are underway. These include updates to the questionnaire, better validation systems and additional checks. A grievance cell and a dedicated helpline (02333335) have been set up, and frontline health workers have received further training.

The Minister also said that the program does not differentiate by occupation. “Civil servants, farmers and private workers are not differentiated. If they are economically and socially unstable, they receive the monthly allowance. We are working, reviewing and resolving the issues,” he said.

So far, Nu. 63.09 million has been disbursed, making up 7 percent of the total funding. The remaining Nu. 138.23 million will be used until 2027. Beneficiaries are spread across all Dzongkhags, with the highest numbers in Thimphu with 794 mothers and Samtse with 718. Some delays occurred because the program received Nu. 30 million in one funding cycle instead of the expected Nu. 60 million. The full amount has now been received and pending payments are being cleared.

Despite these actions, confusion continues among some recipients. One mother said her support ended without explanation. “I received the monthly allowance until June, and after that my account was permanently closed. I do not know what caused it.”

Benita, another mother, said she was hesitant to apply because of the questionnaire. “My cousin received the support for three months and then stopped getting it, so I felt applying was not worthwhile,” she said. “Some questions about electronic devices and salary felt odd because living in the capital without those things is not possible.”
Sherab Zangmo from Punakha said she applied at the same time as her friends, but while they received the support, she did not. Tenzin from Thimphu said, “I was selected and received the support for a few months, but then it stopped. After hearing Lyonpo say that payments will resume in parliament, I am hopeful. Living in the capital is difficult, and this support made life a little easier.”

The Ministry of Health said that the AMCHP will continue to be reviewed and improved to minimise errors, strengthen fairness and ensure support reaches families that need it most. With funding secured for the next two years and corrective measures in progress, the government aims to reinforce the credibility and effectiveness of the 1,000 Golden Days Initiative.

With 7,520 mothers already benefiting, the program is intended to continue providing support throughout the first 1,000 days of a child’s life, a period that is essential for brain development, immunity and long-term health. Although challenges remain in the cash transfer component, the initiative represents a significant effort to expand equitable access to maternal and child health and nutrition services across the country.