People in the six eastern districts can expect better healthcare services. The health ministry has deployed health equipment worth nearly Nu 300 M in the east. Japanese government provided the equipment as part of the project for strengthening health care services in the eastern districts. The equipment were officially handed over to the health ministry today, as part of events marking the 40-year friendship between Bhutan and Japan.
Over 30 types of medical equipment, ranging from digital X-ray machines to ultrasound machines, infant incubators, and other devices, were handed over to the health ministry.
According to the health ministry, these devices are already deployed in district hospitals of Lhuentse, Trashigang, Trashi Yangtse, Pema Gatshel, and Samdrup Jongkhar, along with the Monggar Eastern Regional Referral Hospital.“For the majority of the districts in eastern Bhutan, we already have Human Resource Officers who are trained on how to use the equipment. And for a few health centres, we have got approval from the Royal Civil Service Commission to recruit additional staff for these health facilities, and also to train them in using the equipment,” said Dr Mimi Lhamu Mynak, the President of the National Medical Services.
Relevant health professionals were also trained to operate and maintain these machines.
The Japan International Cooperation Agency is implementing the five-year project in collaboration with the health ministry to bring quality healthcare closer to people.
“That will help us further in strengthening our healthcare services in the six eastern districts. And that way, people living in these districts, they can receive the care, the quality care that they deserve, right in their own districts,” added Dr Mimi Lhamu Mynak.
Since signing the project in 2022, JICA has provided health equipment and technical capacity building worth Nu 327 M for hospitals in the east.
Officials representing the two countries said the event not only demonstrates the ongoing friendship between Bhutan and Japan, but also reaffirms their commitment to universal health care.