Bhutan will receive 29 new ambulances by March next year. The Japan International Cooperation Agency, JICA signed a grant aid agreement worth Nu. 89 million with the Gross National Happiness Commission to replace of the old ambulances.
The old ambulances in bad conditions will then be surrendered to the Ministry of Finance.
There are 98 ambulances in the country today. Seven ambulances are in the national referral hospital, five each at the regional referral hospitals in Gelegphu and Monggar and two each at grade I Basic Health Units. Rest are stationed at grade II BHUs located at strategic places along the highway.
The Director General of Department of Medical Services, Ugen Dophu, said it would help to respond immediately to the emergency health services in rural areas.
The Chief Representative of JICA office in Bhutan, Yumiko Asakuma, said with rapid growth and development in the transport system, these ambulances would contribute to give timely health services.
The ambulances in the country are more than 16 years old while the life span of an ambulance is just 10 years given the road condition and its frequent movement.
During the first phase, Japanese government provided 26 ambulances in 2011.
