When the first batch of Khesar Gyalpo University of Medical Sciences of Bhutan (KGUMSB) residents graduate next month, the country will have eight more specialists.

This would contribute towards addressing lack of human resources in the health sector.

Health minister Tandin Wangchuk awarded khaddar to the eight specialists for successfully completing the four years of residency programme in anesthesiology, ophthalmology, gynecology and obstetrics, paediatrics and surgery during the KGUMSB’s investiture ceremony yesterday.

Lyonpo Tandin Wangchuk said that when the postgraduate (PG) programme started in 2014, they were unsure of the success. However, Lyonpo said that with dedication, commitment and in spirit of mutual cooperation, the university and the stakeholders are able to successfully complete the first batch of the resident programme.

“I was a part of it and today when we celebrate the successful completion and passing out of the first batch of residents, I am exceptionally happy. I am not saying this as a politician,” Lyonpo said. “It is a success that we must cherish and look towards developing similar initiatives in the future.”

The health minister also awarded certificates of academic excellence from His Majesty The King to three doctors.

As part of the university’s investiture ceremony, the faculty of postgraduate medicine released 11 Doctor of Medicine (MD) curricula, of which nine was revised and two new to be implemented from next month.

President of the university, Dr Kinzang P Tshering, said the four years gave the faculty of postgraduate medicine many learning experiences and ideas to improve the quality of the residency programme.

“We have revised our PG curriculum adapting to the trends in medical education and our country-specific situation,” Dr Kinzang P Tshering said. “We started with five programmes and today we have the capacity of 10 programmes.”

This year, the university has 13 residents in eight specialties. 

Dr Kinzang P Tshering said the country has taken more than five decades to produce 70 odd specialists in the country before the start of the university and the residency programme.

“In the next decade we are hopeful to train at least 100 specialists and sub-specialists,” he said. 

Felicitation certificates were awarded to the five departments of JDWNRH for their contribution to the growth of postgraduate medical education.

Of the 13 residents, two each will receive training in surgery, gynaecology, emergency medicine, general practitioner (GP) medicine and one each in paediatrics, psychiatry and orthopaedic.

Emergency medicine and psychiatry are being introduced this time.

Dechen Tshomo