Japan-Supported Medical Equipment Strengthens Healthcare in Eastern Bhutan
Bhutan has deployed nearly USD 3 million worth of Japan-supported medical equipment across six eastern districts as Bhutan and Japan mark 40 years of diplomatic relations.
People across six eastern districts of Bhutan are set to benefit from improved healthcare services following the deployment of medical equipment worth nearly Nu 300 million (approx USD3.15m).
The equipment was provided by the Government of Japan under a project aimed at strengthening healthcare services in eastern Bhutan. It was officially handed over to the Ministry of Health as part of events marking 40 years of friendship between Bhutan and Japan.
More than 30 types of medical equipment deployed
More than 30 types of medical equipment were provided under the project. These include digital X-ray machines, ultrasound machines, infant incubators and other medical devices.
According to the Ministry of Health, the equipment has already been deployed to district hospitals in Lhuentse, Trashigang, Trashi Yangtse, Pema Gatshel and Samdrup Jongkhar, as well as the Mongar Eastern Regional Referral Hospital.
The deployment is expected to strengthen diagnostic and treatment capacity in eastern Bhutan and allow more patients to receive medical care closer to home.
Additional health workers and training
The Ministry of Health said trained personnel are already available in most eastern districts to operate the equipment. Additional staff are also expected to be recruited for some health facilities.
“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 have also received training to operate and maintain the machines.
Four-year healthcare project
The Japan International Cooperation Agency, or JICA, is implementing the four-year project in collaboration with Bhutan's Ministry of Health.
The initiative is intended to strengthen healthcare services in eastern Bhutan by improving access to medical equipment and building the technical capacity of health professionals.
“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 the project was signed in 2022, JICA has provided health equipment and technical capacity-building support worth Nu 327 million (approx USD 3.44m) for hospitals in eastern Bhutan.
40 years of Bhutan-Japan relations
The healthcare project comes during a year of events marking four decades of diplomatic relations between Bhutan and Japan.
Last month, Her Imperial Highness Princess Akiko of Mikasa visited Bhutan from August 7 to 14 as part of the 40th anniversary year. During the visit, she was received by Their Majesties The King and Queen and took part in cultural and other engagements reflecting the longstanding ties between the two countries.
Bhutan and Japan formally established diplomatic relations on March 28, 1986, although cooperation between the two countries began decades earlier.
Bhutan-Japan partnership in healthcare
Officials representing Bhutan and Japan said the handover also reflects the longstanding relationship between the two countries.
The event formed part of activities marking 40 years of Bhutan-Japan friendship and reaffirmed the two countries' commitment to supporting access to healthcare.
With the equipment already deployed across hospitals in the east, the project is expected to strengthen the capacity of health facilities to provide essential services within the region.
