The first group of Bhutan’s 87-member Medical Relief Team returned home today after completing an 18-day humanitarian mission in Myanmar. The Prime Minister, along with Chief Operations Officer of the Royal Bhutan Army, Lt. General Batoo Tshering, and several senior officials, received the 51-member group at Paro International Airport and thanked them for their service.
The deployment was commanded by His Majesty The King in the aftermath of the 7.7 magnitude earthquake that struck Myanmar last month, claiming thousands of lives.
The team was sent in two batches. The first members arrived in Naypyidaw, the capital of Myanmar, on 1st April and established a field hospital.
The remaining members joined them on 4th April. The team, comprising De-suups, Gyalsuups, and other professionals, worked alongside Myanmar’s Ministry of Health to provide critical medical services, including surgical care and emergency support.
The team was received with deep appreciation. In Myanmar, especially among those they worked with, the compassion, humility, and professionalism of the Bhutanese team earned genuine goodwill and lasting respect.
The coordination throughout the mission was deeply valued and widely praised.
The second group of 36 members is scheduled to return tomorrow.
Namgay Wangchuk
