The health ministry will conduct annual health checkups for the civil servants starting next month. The checkup will be mandatory. It is being initiated following a request from the Royal Civil Service Commission (RCSC).
At present, there are more than 28,000 civil servants in the country. The RCSC says the initiative, which is a part of the Civil Service Well-being Reform, will help in promoting healthy lifestyle and early detection of diseases.
“We want to ensure that all civil servants are in best of their health because a person’s health is very important for work performance as well as for the well being and welfare of their own families,” Tashi Pem, the Director of the RCSC, said.
She also added that promoting preventive care will help reduce burden on the health sector.
The test will be conducted in hospitals and Basic Health Unit (BHU) Grade I. It will include basic health screening such as blood and urine test among others.
“Through the physical examination, if there are some risk factors, health officials can advice how to prevent and take care of their health.” Dr. Pandup Tshering, the Director General of Health Ministry, said.
Meanwhile, the RCSC says the health data of the individuals will remain confidential and it will not impact their professional life in any way.
The health checkups for the teachers, however, will be done during the winter break.