Bhutan Foundation donated medical equipment and resources worth Nu 1.8 million to the health ministry yesterday.

The donated resources include training manuals and equipment like adult, child, and neonatal mannequins that can be used for training in resuscitation, intubation, and birth simulations.

The training equipment will be distributed to the national referral hospital in Thimphu, regional referral hospitals in Mongar and Gelephu.

Director general of the department of medical services, Dr Pandup Tshering, said Bhutan Foundation has helped the health sector in the country in terms of capacity building of health professionals in the last couple of years.

“I am confident that the equipment will further improve the quality of training provided to the health officials in the country,” Dr Pandup Tshering said.

Bhutan Foundation’s executive director, Tshewang Wangchuk, said the Bhutan Foundation has been working closely with health ministry and emergency department with the national referral hospital to improve the delivery of emergency medical services in Bhutan.

Bhutan Foundation, since 2009, has been involved in training more than 200 doctors and nurses in emergency trauma care, some 146 taxi drivers and 30 nuns to be first responders, and 23 ambulance drivers in advanced wilderness first aid.

In addition, 38 doctors and nurses have been certified as local trainers to continue emergency medical trainings in the country.

Tshewang Wangchuk said the donation of equipment and resources are a part of the foundation’s ongoing programme to improve emergency medical services in Bhutan in partnership with the health ministry’s Emergency Medical Services Division and the national referral hospital.

“We will continue to further partner with the ministry and the national referral hospital to improve emergency medical services in Bhutan.”

The foundation has granted Nu 40 million for trainings and equipment to help build capacity of health professionals in Bhutan till date.

Dechen Tshomo