The National Council adopted the Bhutan Institute of Medical Sciences Bill today.
Despite prolonged deliberation last week, the house could not reach an agreement. Members decided to cast votes to make a decision. The bill received 15 yes votes. Two of the members decided not to vote, and five members voted against it.
The difference was over whether the Bhutan Institute of Medical Sciences should be given the right to function independently.
Some members wanted the institute to function as an autonomous body while others said it should come under the purview of the Royal Civil Service Commission.
The vote established once and for all that the institute will function as an autonomous body.
The health ministry says the establishment of the Bhutan Institute of Medical Sciences will help solve the problem of shortage of health professionals in the country.
As per the ministry’s human resource master plan projection, Bhutan requires 231 specialists, 135 general doctors, 54 dental surgeons and a few thousand nurses and allied health workers in the next 12 years.
