Lyonpo Tandin Wangchuk, the Hon’ble Health Minister and the Chairperson of the University Governing Council graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. The event was also attended by the Chief Representative of JICA Bhutan Office, officials from the constituent faculties of KGUMSB, the Ministry of Health, developmental partners,the former leaders of the University and representatives from various media houses.
The programme featured a welcome address by the President of KGUMSB, followed by a comprehensive presentation on the project’s overall achievements by the Registrar. The Chief Representative of the JICA Bhutan Office further underscored the project’s significant contributions in Bhutan healthworkforce development in his remarks. The Hon’ble Health Minister then delivered a keynote address, highlighting the initiative’s vital role in strengthening Bhutan’s medical and health education systems and its long-term impact on the nation’s healthcare landscape.
Implemented from August 2020 to December 2025, the five-year technical cooperation project significantly contributed to advancing Bhutan’s medical education system. Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the project successfully delivered all planned outputs—strengthening faculty capacity, enhancing digital learning, expanding simulation-based training, supporting research, and strengthening health human resource development.
A major milestone was the development and groundwork for the nationwide rollout of Druk Sokchop Program- Bhutan’s Life Saver’s Course, a 12 standardized resuscitation and emergency courses, with over 500 certified trainers across the country. The project also supported the establishment of simulation centers,educational and Research laboratory, expansion of e-learning through OpenKGUMSB, ICT upgrades, research capacity building, and faculty development.
KGUMSB, JICA, and the Ministry of Health reaffirmed their commitment to continued collaboration to support Bhutan’s health workforce development and contribute to improved healthcare delivery.
