Move for Health walk 

As the hitch in one’s walk turns to pain in the help it is the sign of getting old. The recurring habits of thought that may be genetic or may be environmental which certainly worsens with time health is one vital component that needs day to day monitoring, but how many of us are aware about our health? It is easy to holler at people and remind about health but how much is done?

Bhutan Health trust Fund (BHTF) held nationwide program of taking a step forward rather than just evaluating the importance. The initiative taken in account of improving one’s health by walking an extra-mile when conceptualized. “Move for Health.”

This programme is held once in a year and it is mostly aimed to implement good health for the people. This programme was started in 2002 by the former health Minister Lyonpo Sangay Ngedup. The adult walk for a long distance to Show or give an example to the youth about the importance of health.

Dasho Dzongda of Punakha, Dasho S.P of Punakha, District health Officer Mrs Zangmo, Dr Karma Yangzom from Punakha Hospital, Dasho Norbu Gyeltshen (Principal) of Ugyen Academy, Vice Principal of PHS family and teacher and student form Ugyne Academy, Punakha Higher Secondary School, VTI etc were present at taxi parking at Khuruthan, Punakha Bhutan for the “Move For Health” Programme.

There were three groups, Dasho S.P’s group form Lobesa till Khuruthang, RSTA’s group form Zomlingthang till Khuruthang and another group heading from Samthang towards Khurutang. The walk started at 7: 00am and it ended at around 10:00am on Sunday, where all distinguished guests and the audience had a brief discussion on health and raising of fund at Khuruthang. According to Dr Karma Yangzom, “The reason for this walk s to reduce the non-communicable disease like Blood pressure, diabetes etc, we need to prevent if before it’s too late, so we have to exercise and eat healthy food. “While the strong message reach to the crowd on how we can handle and maintain our health through regular exercises and taking healthy diet- nutritious food and amount to be taken , Mr. Kinley Penjor,  a lecturer of T.T.I said that it is an awareness to the youths and also to educate the community about the importance of the health. It was indeed the first time for him to have participated in such kind of programme and he expressed his joy, “It was very interesting and I am lucky to participate, it was an enjoyable moment.”

In this programme funds were collected all over the country. The reason for this donation was for the people who can’t afford for medical assistance. It is an initiative taken to buy expensive medicine / vaccine such as HPV for the girls to prevent cervical cancer.

“If the fund is not been collected than each girl have to spend Nu. 14000 to put the vaccine and the poor ones, due to lack of money can’t afford, so the fund is collected “said Mrs Zangmo, the district health officer of Punakha Dzongkhag.

Meanwhile Mr Bhim of P.H.S.S poured out his disappointment, “people were resultant to give money, they showed less interest in even giving Nu 50/- may be people were unaware of this contribution.” Mr Bhim was in the Samthang group and as they asked for donation from the people who were at the maximum illiterate they hardly knew about the programme and were reluctant in making contribution.

A student of Ugyen Academy, Redhaya said that everyday should be a health day as it will be a very good practice and exercise. Such programme is a good opportunity to aware the people about the health problems.

Mr. Sangya Wangdi, Teacher of Ugyen Academy further enlightened that all the Bhutanese should work and support and should be throughout the generation.

Dasho Dzongda of Punakha agrees that “If health is there than everything is there”, he also said that this programme would help the youths as there were youths who were very much involved in this programme. Even Dasho S.P stated that it is good to walk and this programme is basically to help the youths.”Example set by the adult today will definitely make youth’s come up with the same thing he said. “We can no more depend on the government, we have to work by our self” he added.

He also quote that “Health is wealth, how much ever you are rich without good health you are still poor”.

Coming back to the fund, the total fund collected form Punakha was Nu.693000/-. Ugyen Academy family contributed Nu. 48225/- along with the tea and shamday to the participants. Khuruthang town all together with the shopkeeper contributed Nu. 128600/- The Zomlingthang group while walking got Nu. 29000/- along with 4 US dolar. Dasho SP’s group collected a total amount of Nu. 122000/- and lastly from Samthang Nu.18663/-

                         Media UA