The Lhengye Zhungtshog approved health ministry’s recommendation to create two new departments from the ministry’s Department of Medical Services (DMS) yesterday. The two departments are Department of Traditional Medicine Services and Department of Medical Supplies and Health Infrastructure.
The health ministry’s recommendations were studied by a review committee. According to the committee the rationale for creation of the Department of Traditional Medicine Services is that it receives the same attention as that of allopathic medicine in terms of resources.
The committee submitted that the development and promotion of traditional medicine services is not only unique to Bhutan but also has roots in age-old tradition and culture.
They also submitted that creation of a separate department of traditional medicine services will help promote the traditional medicine services and it would in turn help promote Bhutan as a wellness and health tourism destination.
The Department of Medical Supplies and Health Infrastructure is being created so that the procurement procedure is more specialised. The committee said that a separate department will ease the procurement process and improve the availability of drugs in the country. The committee submitted that the Department of Medical Services will then be a department without the functions of traditional medicine, procurement and infrastructure. This will allow DMS to focus on its core functions and improve public service delivery.
“The proposed creation of the departments and separation of supply and logistics from the service delivery will enable the professional staff to focus on delivery of services and not be preoccupied in supply and logistic procedures,” committee report stated.
The review committee has also proposed the corporatisation of Menjong Sorig Pharmaceuticals as per procedures.
