The launch of six courses, a journal and an information system marked the Khesar Gyalpo University of Medical Sciences of Bhutan’s (KGUMSB) foundation day yesterday.

The courses include two specialised programmes for nurses and four courses including diploma and certificate course for nurses, menpas, and the emergency medical team.

In 2015, KGUMSB was founded with the Faculty of Nursing and Public Health (formerly RIHS) and Faculty of Traditional Medicine (formerly NITM) as two institutions under the University.

The university yesterday launched a Khesar Gyalpo University Information System (KGUIS) and an annual sMen-jonggSo-rig journal under the Faculty of Traditional Medicine.

President of KGUMSB, Dr K P Tshering announced that His Majesty The King granted his assent to be the chancellor of the university. “This gives us immense pride and motivation to work harder and prove worth the honor bestowed upon us from the throne.”

The two specialised courses include Pediatric Critical Care Nursing and Neonatal Critical Care Nursing, which are for seven months.  The Midwifery and Essential Newborn Care course is also for nurses for six months. The course is also for community health workers.

According to a press release, the specialised courses are to provide specialised care for pediatric critical ill patients and enhance knowledge and skills of nurses to provide specialised care for neonatal and premature babies. “Course has been developed to enhance knowledge and build competency of community health workers and nurses to provide comprehensive care and management of women during pregnancy, labour, childbirth, postnatal and essential care to newborn.” This is to improve the mother and childcare services and to reduce morbidity and mortality.

Nursing and Midwifery Department’s Deputy Dean, Deki Pem, said the courses are mandatory for nurses as they would assist doctors and deal with patients directly.

She added that Lay-Nga and basic nursing course, which is for three months, would enhance knowledge and skills of menpas to provide five eliminative therapies. “The traditional medicine faculty wanted to provide these therapies in house, which isn’t provided today. The nurses will teach this to the menpas.”

The emergency medical responder is a course for the existing emergency medical team . While the short course is for three months, the diploma course is for 6 months.

Faculty of Traditional Medicine also launched a certificate course in Menjong-Sorig Spa and Wellness yesterday. The course duration is for three months.

The university has now 18 courses.

The annual sMen-jonggSo-rig journal by the Faculty of Traditional Medicine consisting of reviews, commentaries and research findings were also launched. The journal has contents in both English and Dzongkha.

The KGUIS, a web-based software would manage students, faculties, and staff with useful tools to maintain the daily routine.

Deki Pem said the university would hold its first convocation this year for the graduates of 2016 and 2017. “The graduates include community health workers, nurses and technicians.”

To celebrate the foundation day yesterday, the university also awarded best staff of the year 2017 from the teaching category, ESP/GSP category, and administration and management category.

Dr K P Tshering said that in 2015, Her Majesty The Gyaltsuen inaugurated the university as KGUMSB on February 28. “Within a short span of time, we have been successful in establishing ourselves as a relevant institution in the country and also able to collaborate with many renowned institutions abroad and within.”

Lyonpo Tandin Wangchuk attended the celebrations.

Phurpa Lhamo