Jigmi Wangdi

A group of Japanese volunteers donated a first-of-its-kind stroke mobile van to Bhutan Stroke Foundation (BSF) to support its endeavours in caring for stroke patients and survivors in the country.

The mobile van was donated by a group of Japanese donors.

The Japanese volunteers, led by the Advisor to Handa Bhutan Youth Exchange Association, Tomoyuki Matsuishi, handed over the mobile van to the BSF yesterday.

Tomoyuki Matsuishi, who has been working closely with the Rotary Club of Thimphu, said that the funds for the mobile van were raised through crowd-funding.

“We are very happy to be able to make this health contribution to Bhutan. We understand that the problem of stroke in the country is a serious one and the landscape of the disease is ever-changing,” Tomoyuki Matsuishi said.

The Executive Director of BSF, Dawa Tshering, said that this multi-purpose mobile van will increase the efficiency of the services that BSF provides to its members.

“It will ensure that the patients who come to our organisation for rehabilitation can avail a proper transportation service. Instituting a basic mobile van highlights the importance of accessing free care,” he said. 

However, he said that the mobile van cannot be used as an emergency response vehicle as this would require trained human resources. “Right now, it will support our social workers in visiting homebound patients, providing transportation, etc.”

In the past, the lack of transportation caused difficulties as volunteers could not visit stroke patients.  “Even technical volunteers, such as medical personnel or physiotherapists, could not go for follow-ups. The new mobile van will now serve multiple services and we will be able to cater to the needs of our patients,” Dawa Tshering added.

According to the medical records with Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital, there were a total of 876 stroke patients between 2021 and October 2023. Some 316 cases were reported in 2021, which increased to 332 cases in 2022.

The statistics also showed that men suffered more from strokes than women. Even children as young as one to five years could suffer from strokes.

BSF has assisted 30 patients since its inception in 2019. However, it faces a growing demand for support, with over 200 registered patients seeking assistance.