Donation: The World Health Organisation donated more than 200 Buddhist scripts, Sowa Rigpa textbooks, and medicine booklets to the library of the Faculty of Traditional Medicine (FTM) yesterday.

FTM is one of the institutes under The Khesar Gyalpo University of Medical Sciences of Bhutan.

FTM’s academic affairs dean Sangay Wangdi said that the donated books would serve as a source of reference for the institute’s trainees.

The faculty’s dean Tendrel Wangdi said that the institute was not able to procure essential textbooks required by its students and staff given the institute’s limited budget. “The valuable scripts will benefit trainees as well as the faculties,” he said.

WHO’s medical officer for health systems strengthening Dr Suraj Man Shrestha, during the handing and taking of the scripts, said that WHO supports in setting standards and norms of traditional medicine in every country. “Research, setting norms and standards in traditional medicine, preserving literature and knowledge is important,” he said.

WHO has provided the faculty with technical, financial and moral support. In 2011 and 15, WHO donated more than 400 sowa rigpa books and Buddhist scripts, among others to the institute.

FTM is responsible for the development of human resources required for the delivery of traditional medical services in the country. FTM programmes are recognised by the Bhutan Medical and Health Council and the Royal Civil Service Commission.

Currently there are about 80 trainees in the institute.

Dechen Tshomo