The Khesar Gyalpo University of Medical Sciences of Bhutan (KGUMSB) in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, the National Environment Commission and Indian Society of Hospital Waste

Management (ISHWM), New Delhi, India is organizing a Regional Conference on “Resilient Healthcare System for better management of Bio-medical Waste, Antimicrobial Resistance and Climate Change” from 4^th – 6^th June, 2020 in Thimphu, Bhutan. This Conference is intended to coincide harmoniously with the celebration of International and National Environment Day along with Her Majesty Gyaltsuen’s Birthday, who is an advocate of environmental issues.

Unsafe management of healthcare waste has drawn global public health attention and concern because of the inherent hazardous and risky nature of Bio-medical waste to the populace, both within and outside health facility. It also entails threat to the environment and the Eco-system, whereby contributing to disease burden and healthcare costs.

The liquid waste management and disposal facilities are other gray areas which is hardly discussed in the open forum. The usual disposal of liquid waste is either through sewerage lines or discharge into open drainage directly into water streams and bodies, thereby contaminating the soil, drinking water sources and disrupting the entire Eco-system, among others.

Therefore, this Conference is the first of its kind being organized in the country to create awareness on healthcare waste (including solid, sharps and liquid wastes) and its associated risks, in a view to enlighten our healthcare providers on the disastrous implication of improper management of healthcare wastes. Notwithstanding, educating on proper and safe management of healthcare waste anticipates to safeguard our population health in general, while preserving our pristine environment.

The main aims and objectives of the conferences are to:

• Create awareness on risks associated with infectious hospital waste (solid, sharps and liquid) and the importance of its safe management;
• Obtain a good exposure to existing scenario of healthcare waste management (HCWM) in Bhutan, India and other neighbouring countries in the Region;
• Identify gaps and challenges in safe management of HCWM, liquid waste management and environment friendly green initiatives and technologies;
• Develop action plan to implement a scientific HCWM system and make recommendations to the governments and relevant agencies for their consideration and endorsement.

In addition, such regional consultation will serve a good platform to deliberate, share knowledge and experiences, including  deliberate on plausible strengths and weakness in healthcare waste management, among others. This also will be a good opportunity to listen to the international and national experts views on the emerging trends and good practices being followed in managing healthcare waste safely for the common goal.

To be confirmed

It is anticipated that the knowledge and skills gained through this international as well as national exposure will go a long way in improving and mitigating the healthcare waste management, thus gearing towards strengthening health systems for making this Mother Earth more climate resilient and less toxic to live. This Conference will also delve and discuss on the serious menace of hospital associated infections (HAIs) as well as the antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

• Please check the Conference Flyer for registration fees;
• Registration fees includes Airport pickup and drop, conference kits, transportation within Thimphu premises, working lunch and refreshments for participants during the conference duration;
• Please use the following information for payment of conference fees:

Note: Please retain a copy of the deposit slip as proof of payment and also upload it in the conference online registration form. You will be asked to produce it during the conference on 5^th – 6^th June, 2020.

A country located in Southern Asia, Bhutan (Druk Yul) is the small Buddhist Kingdom situated in the eastern edge of the mighty Himalayan range. It is a land of monasteries, fortresses (or commonly known as Dzongs) with dramatic topography ranging from subtropical plains and foothills to steep rocky mountains and serene green valleys.

In the Himalayas, mountains and peaks such as Jomolhari are well-known destinations for serious trekkers. The most widely known “Taktshang Palphu”, the Tigers Nest monastery is one of the sacred sites and most visited by the cultural tourists, which majestically clings on the rocky cliffs above the forested Paro Valley, close to Paro International Airport.

• Area: 38,394 km²
• Population: 735, 553 (PHCB 2017)
• ISO country code: BTN
• Country calling code: +975
• Local Time: UTC +6h
• Capital: Thimphu
• King: Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck
• Government: Democratic Constitutional Monarchy
• Prime Minister: Lyonchen Dr. Lotey Tshering
• To know more about Bhutan, please visit following websites:
  1. Tourism Council of Bhutan: [www.tourism.gov.bt]
  2. National Statistics Bureau: [www.nsb.gov.bt]

I. Visa:

1. SAARC countries: Visa on arrival
2. Non-SAARC countries: Need to process visa. Please click on the following URL link to download the visa application form: https://www.kgumsb.edu.bt/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/bhutan-visa-application-form.pdf

II. Entry to Bhutan

a) By Air (Drukair & Bhutan Airlines):
I. Inbound flights from INDIA to PARO International Airport:
a.  Bagdogra
b. Guwahati
c. New Delhi
d. Kolkata

II. Inbound flights from NEPAL to PARO:
a. Kathmandu

III. Inbound flights from BANGLADESH to PARO:
a. Dhaka

IV. Inbound flights from Other Inernational Airports to PARO:
a. Bangkok
b. Singapore

b) By Road (from nearest city in India enroute to Bhutan):

1. 1. Via Bagdogra (Siliguri), India – Phuentsholing, Bhutan

***Visa and route permit is processed only during working days.

**  Though June will be a lean season for the tourists, however we suggest you to make your travel reservations early.

*  June is mid-Summer in Bhutan. Thimphu will be warm and moderately cold during rainy days due to onset of monsoon season. Therefore, you are advised to pack your outfit and clothing accordingly. For more information about weather conditions in Bhutan (in particular Thimphu), please follow the URL link: https://www.accuweather.com/en/bt/thimphu/361353/weather-forecast/361353
III. Currency: Ngulturm (Nu) – 1 USD $ = Nu. 72.25 as of 05 March 2020 according to BOBL Foreign Exchange Rates.

IV. Food: All kinds of cusines avaliable.

V. Emergency numbers: Call 112 for health help and 113 for police.

Please visit following URL links to know more:

Tourism Council of Bhutan: [www.tourism.gov.bt] National Statistics Bureau: [www.nsb.gov.bt]

1. For Visa and ticketing queries, please contact:

Mr. Cheku Wangchuk
Email: cheki123@kgumsb.edu.bt
Mobile: +975-77431073

• Accommodation: Please note that the participants will have to bear their own travel, boarding and lodging expenses. However, the organizers will be able to provide a list of hotels and resorts upon request. For bookings, check the URL link provided by the Tourism Council of Bhutan (http://www.tourism.gov.bt/plan/accomodation).

For details and further queries, please contact:
Mr. Sonam Norbu
Email: sonamnorbu@kgumsb.edu.bt
Mobile: +975-17307830