The Minister and his team, carrying their own provisions in backpacks, stopped in different districts across the country to remind villagers of the importance of health. They emphasised the importance of utilising health services and healthy living, talking to citizens about the importance of physical activity, sanitation, nutrition, and breast-feeding. Many districts contributed their own resources to support the Trust Fund. In some parts of the journey, students, local officials, and villagers walked with the Minister and his team to show their support.
Individuals, organisations, and nations were invited to follow the progress of the walk, and to provide sponsorship, via the Move for Health Bhutan site. Sponsorship was sought on an hourly or daily basis; each dollar or rupee raised was matched by the government of Bhutan.
Health, Immunisation & Vaccines, Nutrition, Children.
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The Health Trust Fund was set up to ensure the sustainability of immunisation and primary health care services for Bhutan. According to Fund organisers, investments in the social sector have brought about dramatic declines in infant mortality, under-five mortality, and maternal mortality rates. Universal childhood immunisation has been achieved and maintained since 1990. Bhutan's essential drugs programme has flourished, and leprosy, previously a major public health problem, has been eliminated. The last case of polio reported in the country was in 1986.
UNICEF, the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI), and the government of Bhutan. The American Himalyan Foundation publicised the walk on its website.
Press release dated October 10, 2002 posted on the UNICEF site and Move For Health site.