Staff Reporter

Bhutan’s ambassador to Japan, V Namgyel and Japan’s ambassador to Bhutan, Satoshi Suzuki signed the exchange of notes for the Economic and Social Development Programme (provision of medical equipment) under Japan’s Grant Aid on June 23 in New Delhi, India.

A press release from the Bhutan Embassy in New Delhi states that under the programme, the Government of Japan will provide a grant of 300 million Japanese yen to procure medical equipment to strengthen public health and medical system of the country.

Ambassador of Japan, Satoshi Suzuki

Ambassador of Bhutan, V Namgyel

The proposed medical equipment that would be purchased with the grant includes portable ultrasound and X-ray machine including ambulance.

The press release states that the medical equipment purchased through this grant would strengthen the capacity of the country’s health services, especially during the current pandemic when the public health system is overstretched.

The Bhutanese government ‘deeply’ appreciates the assistance and recent support received from the Japanese government to deal with the pandemic, states the press release.

Japan has been supporting Bhutan in many different areas such as agriculture, telecommunications, rural electrification, construction of bridges, building of schools, providing fire engines, police patrol cars, compactor trucks, ambulances, and medical equipment and farm machinery, among others.

The press release states, “Ambassador V Namgyel conveyed the deep appreciation of the Royal Government and people of Bhutan to the Government and people of Japan for their steadfast and generous support to Bhutan’s socio-economic development for many years, and for their assurances of continued support in the years ahead.