The Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) Department of the Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital (JDWNRH) in Thimphu is now equipped with a laser system. It will help in carrying out head and neck cancer surgeries. Taichung East Rotary Club from Taiwan donated the health equipment worth over Nu 10 M to the hospital yesterday.
The project to improve the technical capacity of the ENT Department is a collaborative initiative of the Rotary Club of Thimphu and Taichung East Rotary Club of Taiwan. The two Rotary Clubs along with the Rotary Foundation of the Rotary International financed the project.
“It is a laser system which is actually used to operate in areas especially head and neck where we can use a laser to operate for conditions like cancer. It gives good access to surgical sites, so that’s why it is helpful especially in difficult areas to operate with the laser. Also, we are fortunate to get some latest endoscopes which we normally use to operate nose,” Dr Phub Tshering, the Head and Neck Surgeon of JDWNRH, said.
He added such projects help improve the technical capacity of the health system faster as buying various machines does not involve procurement procedures and formalities.
The Taichung East Rotary Club also donated a bus worth over Nu 2 M to Ability Bhutan Society (ABS).
“You need a car to pick the children home and back to the centre, that is why we donated the bus to ABS,” Dr Yen from the Taichung East Rotary Club, said.
“It was difficult for the children and parents to reach to the centre. With this bus, we are hopeful that we will be able to arrange the transport services for our children and parent,” Ugyen Wangchuk, the Executive Director of Ability Bhutan Society, said.
“My daughter finds it difficult to understand things like other children. When we go by bus, she finds it difficult to adjust with other fellow passengers. Moreover, we do not get taxis easily since the centre is located quite far from where we live,” Tshering Choki, a parent, said.
At present, the ABS has 36 regular beneficiaries and over 200 registered children with special needs. The society works towards enhancing the quality of life and support individuals with disabilities.
