Health gathering begins, telemedicine facility launched

Thimphu, April 17, 2009: The three-day annual national gathering of the doctors and medical staffs from across the country began in Thimphu on Thursday. Prime Minister Jigmi Y. Thinley inaugurated the conference.

PM Thinley outlining the achievements that Bhutan has on health sectors also pointed out the challenges such as life style induced diseases. He said the changing demographic pattern with more aging population will demand more doctors and care givers and Bhutan is no exception.

Though health sector has been marked one of the poor service deliverer, Health Minister Zangley Drukpa said his ministry is working on finding new measure to improve service delivery.

Coinciding the conference, health ministry launched the SAARC and Rural Telemedicine Projects in national referral hospital, Thimphu, jointly inaugurated by Prime Minister Thinley and the Indian Ambassador to Bhutan Sudhir Vyas.

Through this, the hospital will be connected to the Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences and Post Graduate Institute for Medical Education and Research in India and doctors in Bhutan can seek advice from experts and specialists in India and reduce referrals outside the country. 15 district hospitals and Basic Health Units will be connected to this service inside the country.