The Japan International Cooperation Agency, JICA, handed over physiotherapeutic equipment and machines to the Bhutan Stroke Foundation today. The equipment is expected to support stroke survivors by extending non-medical therapeutic services such as physiotherapy, counselling, and meditation.
The physiotherapeutic equipment and machine worth Nu 250,000 include a robot hand exercise machine, exercise bike, parallel bar, and BP automatic machine among others.
“As JICA is providing Bhutan Stroke Foundation with exercising equipment, it will benefit the stroke survivors. Now, they can come whenever they want to avail themselves of the services here and stay from morning till night. This is like an alternative, from the medical perspective they can go to the hospital, but here it is non-medical services to help them recover,” said Dawa Tshering, the Founder of Bhutan Stroke Foundation.
The Bhutan Stroke Foundation has received the grant to procure the equipment through the Japan Alumni Association of Bhutan’s Mini-Grant Scheme.
“We have various activities who have been to Japan to acquire skills and knowledge. So, when they like to implement our activities, we provide them with opportunities to at least implement the plans for the better development of the society of our country,” said Pema Gyalpo, General Secretary of Japan Alumni Association of Bhutan.
“We are very happy and privileged to support their activity through the Japan Alumni Association of Bhutan to provide a very small amount of grant to purchase equipment and facilities. It’s very small support, but we are very happy to support this kind of innovative activities of the organisation,” said Tomoyuki Yamada, Chief Representative, JICA Bhutan Office.
According to the national referral hospital, the number of new stroke patients is rapidly increasing from one patient a day on an average in 2015 to nearly four stroke patients a day today.
Some of the causes of stroke are high blood pressure, smoking, diabetes, and obesity among others.
Kinzang Lhadon
Edited by Sonam Pem
