Bhutan received 26 ambulances from the Japanese government this morning. This comes as a part of the Project for Replacement of Ambulances. This takes the number of ambulances in the country to 105.
The ambulances were presented to the Health Ministry by Tamaki Tsukada, minister from the embassy of Japan based in New Delhi. They were received by the Health Minister,Zanglay Drukpa, in Phuentsholing.
Lyonpo thanked the Japanese Government for the unwavering support. With such support, the Japanese government hopes to expand ambulance services and help economic development of the country.
“We hope the ambulance vehicles spreading out in the four corners of Bhutan will help serve the connectivity network, lifeline bonds of community,” said Tamaki Tsukada.
Phuentsholing General Hospital being a sub-referral hospital for the region sees many emergency referral cases to Thimphu. And with only two ambulances, it was quite difficult to manage. But with today’s grant the hospital will have four ambulances.
“Very often we have to refer cases to Thimphu. Now, having two more will help improve the ambulance service,” said Namgyal Dorjee, Administration Officer of the Phuentsholing General Hospital.
The ambulances from the grant assistance worth USD 1.9 million have been distributed in 19 hospitals and Basic Health Units across the country.
