𝐌𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐀𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐅𝐚𝐢𝐫 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐎𝐟 𝐄𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐲 𝐂𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐀𝐧𝐝 𝐅𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭

… 𝒃𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒂𝒍 𝒔𝒆𝒓𝒗𝒊𝒄𝒆𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒂𝒘𝒂𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒎𝒖𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒆𝒔 𝒕𝒐 𝒊𝒎𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒑𝒓𝒆𝒈𝒏𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒚 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒏𝒆𝒘𝒃𝒐𝒓𝒏 𝒐𝒖𝒕𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒔

By Tashi Namgyel

With a renewed focus on safe motherhood and healthy childhood, the Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the JICA Bhutan Office, organized a one-day Mother and Child Health (MCH) Fair at the Gyaltsuen Jetsun Pema Wangchuck Mother and Child Hospital on February 13, 2026. Held for the second time in Bhutan, the fair brought together pregnant and lactating women, families, health professionals, development partners, and volunteers to strengthen awareness and action on maternal and neonatal health, reinforcing the nation’s commitment to improving outcomes for mothers and children.

Held under the theme “For Positive Pregnancy Experiences and Outcomes,” the MCH Fair emphasized the critical importance of timely health-seeking behaviour, particularly the early and regular use of Antenatal Care (ANC) and Postnatal Care (PNC) services. Health officials said that consistent ANC and PNC visits are among the most effective interventions to prevent avoidable maternal and newborn complications. These services, they noted, provide opportunities for early detection of health risks, monitoring fetal development, and providing critical guidance on nutrition, birth preparedness, and breastfeeding.

According to the Ministry of Health report of 2025, Bhutan has made notable progress over the years in improving maternal and child health indicators. Maternal and infant mortality rates have steadily declined, and the coverage of essential services such as immunization, ANC visits, and skilled birth attendance has increased. Despite these achievements, officials acknowledged that gaps persist, particularly in service utilization, awareness, and family support during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postnatal period. Factors such as geographic barriers, lack of household knowledge, and limited male involvement continue to challenge the health system’s reach. Events such as the MCH Fair aim to bridge these gaps by bringing essential services and information closer to communities in an interactive and accessible manner.

Leki Choden from the Faculty of Nursing and Public Health shared her view on the responsibilities of family members for safe motherhood and healthy children. “It is shared responsibility of families in ensuring safe motherhood.” She also encouraged spouses, parents, and family members to actively support women throughout pregnancy and after childbirth. Practical steps such as accompanying women to health visits, ensuring a balanced diet, and supporting recommended infant feeding practices were highlighted as critical interventions. Officials stressed that maternal health outcomes are closely linked to household awareness and decision-making, and that engaging men and extended family members can lead to more timely and effective health-seeking behaviour.

The fair featured a wide range of interactive and educational booths, each offering hands-on learning opportunities for participants. These booths were staffed by teams of students from the Faculty of Nursing and Public Health, Khesar Gyalpo University of Medical Sciences of Bhutan, JICA Bhutan Office, and JICA volunteers stationed at the Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital. The booths translated clinical guidance into practical demonstrations, allowing participants to experience and understand maternal and child health concepts in a tangible way.

One of the booths in the fair was the Telemedicine iCTG booth, which drew significant interest from expectant parents and health professionals alike. The booth demonstrated mobile cardiotocography technology used to monitor fetal heart rate and uterine contractions, a tool that can enhance antenatal monitoring and improve early detection of potential complications. Health experts explained that such technology is particularly beneficial for women living in remote areas, where access to health facilities is limited. By using telemedicine solutions, health workers can provide timely support and interventions, ensuring safer pregnancies and healthier outcomes.

Nutrition education was another central focus of the fair. At the Nutrition Booth, participants received guidance on maternal nutrition during pregnancy and lactation, as well as demonstrations on preparing nutritious complementary foods for infants from six months while continuing breastfeeding. Tandin Zam, Clinical Nurse from the Community Health Department, emphasized, “The first 1,000 days of life, from conception to a child’s second birthday, are critical for physical growth, cognitive development, and long-term health.”

Kaori Hidaka, volunteer from JICA working in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, also pointed out the importance of proper maternal nutrition, “Not only supports healthy fetal development but also reduces the risk of complications such as anemia, low birth weight, and stunted growth in children.”

The Birth Spacing Booth provided counselling on family planning methods and the importance of healthy spacing between pregnancies. Officials explained that appropriate birth intervals significantly reduce health risks for mothers and newborns, including complications during pregnancy and childbirth. Birth spacing also promotes better maternal recovery, improved nutritional status, and enhanced overall family well-being, contributing to stronger households and healthier communities.

The fair also featured interactive demonstrations aimed at increasing understanding of the physiological changes during pregnancy and the experience of labor. At the Experiencing Labor Pain Relief and Pregnancy Booth, participants used a maternal simulation body suit to better appreciate the physical changes and challenges of pregnancy. Health workers showcased non-pharmacological labor pain relief techniques, helping demystify childbirth and reduce anxiety among expectant mothers and their families. These hands-on experiences, officials noted, empower families with knowledge and confidence, allowing them to provide better emotional and practical support during pregnancy and delivery.

Breastfeeding counselling formed a central pillar of the fair. At the Breastfeeding Booth, trained health workers provided practical demonstrations on early initiation of breastfeeding, exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months, and correct positioning and attachment techniques. Mothers and caregivers were encouraged to seek timely support for common breastfeeding challenges, with emphasis on the crucial role breastfeeding plays in child survival, nutrition, and development. Health educators also highlighted complementary feeding practices beyond six months and the importance of continued breastfeeding alongside nutritious solid foods to ensure optimal growth and immunity.

The Information Booth complemented these efforts by distributing advocacy materials and reinforcing key messages on maternal and child health. Participants were able to take home easy-to-understand materials that could be shared within their households and communities, extending the impact of the fair beyond the one-day event. Through such initiatives, officials said, families are better equipped to make informed decisions, adopt healthy practices, and support positive pregnancy and childbirth experiences.

Health officials emphasized that events like the MCH Fair are vital for sustaining and accelerating progress in maternal and neonatal health. The programme aligns with Bhutan’s commitment to Sustainable Development Goal 3, which aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all, with specific targets to reduce maternal and newborn mortality. Officials reiterated that long-term improvements in maternal and child health require continued investment, innovation, and community engagement. By combining technical expertise, local health systems, and active public participation, initiatives like the MCH Fair ensure that every mother experiences a safe pregnancy and every child receives a healthy start to life.

The Ministry of Health and JICA reaffirmed their continued partnership, reminding that sustained collaboration is essential for addressing the evolving challenges in maternal and child health. Pregnant and lactating women, families, and community members were encouraged to remain engaged with health services beyond the fair, reinforcing the principle that safe motherhood and healthy childhood are foundational to a healthier, more resilient Bhutan.