In a significant development for Bhutan’s healthcare, Her Majesty Gyalyum Ashi Kesang Choden Wangchuck bestowed a donation of Nu 10 million to the Ministry of Health, as confirmed by a press release from the ministry. This substantial contribution was received by Health Minister Tandin Wangchuk and is earmarked for the advancement of critical care services at the Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital (JDWNRH).
This generous funding is set to facilitate the establishment of a new 12-bedded surgical Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and High Dependency Unit (HDU) at JDWNRH. The announcement comes at a crucial time as the hospital plans to expand its capacity for intensive care following the relocation of the Department of Pediatrics and the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology to the newly inaugurated Gyaltsuen Jetsun Pema Wangchuck Mother and Child Hospital.
The current facilities at JDWNRH include a 10-bed Adult ICU and an 8-bed HDU, which cater to a mix of medical and surgical cases requiring intensive care. The expansion is in response to the growing demand for specialized surgical services and the increasing complexity of cases at the hospital.
The new surgical ICU, strategically located adjacent to the operation theater, aims to streamline the process of transferring patients, enhancing the overall efficiency of care. This initiative is expected to significantly improve the outcomes for patients undergoing complex surgical interventions by providing state-of-the-art intensive care.
Health Minister Tandin Wangchuk lauded Her Majesty’s contribution, highlighting it as a testament to her longstanding commitment to the health and wellbeing of Bhutanese citizens. “Her Majesty’s generous contribution serves as a poignant display of compassion among numerous initiatives and acts of kindness in the health sector,” Wangchuk stated. He added that Her Majesty has been a dedicated patron of the health sector, supporting numerous initiatives that bolster the wellbeing of the people across the nation.
This act of royal philanthropy is anticipated to play a pivotal role in enhancing Bhutan’s healthcare capabilities, ensuring that critical care services can keep pace with the needs of its population. The Health Ministry expressed its gratitude and affirmed that the donation will play a crucial role in upholding the standard of healthcare services to meet the growing demands of the country.
