Drawing lessons from the challenges posed by COVID-19 due to the absence of a coordinated pandemic response in South and Southeast Asia, Bhutan is establishing a new vaccine research and public health hub. The Bhutan IVI Collaborating Centre is a joint initiative of the Ministry of Health, the Khesar Gyalpo University of Medical Sciences, and the International Vaccine Institute, IVI.
The Bhutan IVI Collaborating Centre (BICC) will be housed at the Khesar Gyalpo University of Medical Sciences (KGUMSB) and will serve as a regional centre for vaccine research, infectious disease surveillance, and public health training.
It aims to close critical gaps in pandemic preparedness that left many countries in the region struggling during the COVID-19 pandemic.
By acting as a platform for collaboration with neighbouring countries, the centre will foster faster, more effective responses to future health emergencies.
“I think the establishment of this IVI Centre will be beneficial, especially for the prevention of infectious and vaccine-preventable diseases. Once we have this centre, we can conduct research easily, identify which vaccines we need, and arrange imports quickly through the centre,” said Rinxin Jamtsho, Director, Medical Education and Research Centre for Innovation and Technology, KGUMSB.
The centre is modelled after successful WHO Collaborating Centres and IVI’s coordination frameworks in West Africa, and represents Bhutan’s strategic role in regional health security.
The International Vaccine Institute will provide technical expertise, global research connections, and opportunities for Bhutanese health professionals to participate in international training and collaborations.
“Small countries are probably much stronger together. When integrated into a network of countries, with a centre here liaising with partners in Africa and beyond, it will create more research opportunities, increase Bhutan’s visibility, and enhance training and preparedness for future pandemics,” said Dr Florian Marks, Deputy Director General, IVI.
As the world gradually recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic and prepares for future threats, the BICC signals a commitment to a more coordinated, cooperative, and resilient regional response to public health emergencies.
Namgay Dema
Edited by Phub Gyem
