To improve early detection and prevent the spread of diseases in the country, the health ministry has installed a thermal scanner system at Paro International Airport. The system will quickly detect travellers with fever, a common symptom of diseases such as COVID-19, Ebola and Monkeypox. The system was inaugurated today.
The thermal scanner, Sentry MK-4, checks passengers for high temperatures and alerts when it detects a fever.
By identifying potential cases early, health officials can take swift action to prevent the spread of infections, particularly during pandemics. The health ministry says this measure ensures effective disease control at the country’s air entry points and strengthens public health security.
“It will be used only during times of pandemics or epidemics in the region, as recommended by the Ministry of Health and the technical advisory group. They will determine when to activate the thermal scanning system. However, this system is not the sole solution; alongside it, we will use rapid test kits to screen for specific diseases,” said Ugyen Tshering, the Dy Chief Programme Officer, Ministry of Health.
Health ministry during the COVID-19 pandemic procured two similar machines but discontinued their use due to performance issues.
Ugyen Tshering said, “During the COVID-19 pandemic, we used a similar device, but its sensitivity was too high, leading to inaccurate readings. It often detected fever in people who didn’t actually have one. As a result, we decided to discontinue using the device in the later stages of the pandemic, as it didn’t serve the intended purpose.”
The system is worth Nu 2.7 M.
Along with the scanner, an Automated External Defibrillator, AED was handed over to health officials at the airport.
The AED is a portable device used to treat sudden cardiac arrest.
Namgay Wangchuk
Edited by Sangay Chezom
