Children race for a healthy society in Tajikistan

Save the Children in Tajikistan hosted its Race for survival in Kurgan tube town at Khatlon oblast in Tajikistan on September 25, 2015. The marathon started at 16:00 in the evening and was opened by officials  of the Kurgan-tube government. “Healthy children mean a healthy society” said Kosimova Soleha –Deputy of head of Kurgan–tube government. “Children are our future and we’ll always continue to do the best for all Tajik children.”

Nearly 3,000 children and 1,100 adults participated at the city stadium in the Race for Survival marathon, which aimed to raise awareness on the importance of children’s health for all Tajik children. The children participants, aged 11 – 13 years old, ran alongside the leaders of the country in four teams “Dusti”, “Vahdat”, “Sulh” and “Salomati” and each team consisted of 16 members. Local Government agencies, parents, doctors, teachers and children from different villages also participated in the Race. Children also expressed health messages in songs, dances, poems and sports demos, in the several languages that comprise cultural groups of Tajikistan, complementing the focus of running for a healthy life. 

The children called for the government to improve health access and provide 100% vaccination for all children across the country. To help improve the health status, Save the Children in partnership with local government and health authorities has recently inaugurated two new Health Houses in the Vose district. Many years without health facilities, people had to travel to distant centers for basic medical care. Save the Children supported those two communities to provide basic health care, with a special attention for mothers-to-be and under 5’s as main benefactors. The two health houses will negate the need for long distance travel to acquire basic pre-natal screens and vaccinations.  

Khudoiberdiev Hakim, the Head of Healthy Life Style Centre of Khatlon said: “Breastfeeding is most important for 6 month babies and mothers should know about it. Our Health is in Our Hands”. Save the Children and Khatlon health ministry conducted breastfeeding promotions from 1-10 August, 2015 focusing on its importance and reinforcing the messages of Tajikistan’s national breastfeeding campaigns.