Salang-Tendrel (ground breaking ceremony) for the construction of Girls Hostel for Faculty of Traditional Medicine, Kawajangsa

19th December 2025: The groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of a Girls’ Hostel for the Faculty of Traditional Medicine (FoTM), Khesar Gyalpo University of Medical Sciences of Bhutan (KGUMSB), was held today at the FoTM campus in Kawajangsa. The ceremony was graced by the Hon’ble Health Minister, Lyonpo Tandin Wangchuk, Venerable Tshogki Lopen of Dratshang Lhentshok, . Tthe Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of India, , executives from KGUMSB, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport, Royal University of Bhutan, Menjong Sorig Pharmaceuticals Corporation Limited and Local Government Officials along with other invited guests, also attended the event.

The proposed 90-bedded hostel will be constructed within the FoTM campus at Kawajangsa with funding support from the Government of India under Project Tied Assistance in the 13th Five Year Plan. The project is estimated to cost Nu. 88.995 million and is expected to be completed over a period of 36 months, from 30 December 2025 to 30 December 2028. Upon completion, the hostel is expected to enhance student services and contribute to the delivery of quality traditional medicine education.

Addressing the ceremony, the Hon’ble Health Minister, Lyonpo Tandin Wangchuk, stated that the Groundbreaking Ceremony for the construction of the Girls’ Hostel for the Faculty of Traditional Medicine reflects a shared commitment to strengthening Bhutan’s healthcare system and nurturing the legacy of Sowa Rigpa—one of the world’s oldest healing traditions rooted in Buddhist philosophy, Himalayan wisdom, and ancestral knowledge. He recalled that since the establishment of the Indigenous Dispensary in 1968 under the Royal Command of His Majesty the Third Druk Gyalpo, traditional medicine in Bhutan has evolved into an integral pillar of the national health system, guided by the enlightened vision of the monarchs and the resilience of Bhutanese traditions.

His Excellency further stated that the new hostel will provide a safe and supportive environment that promotes learning, wellbeing, and personal growth, while its proximity to the teaching hospital will greatly enhance clinical training. Noting the growing demand for skilled traditional medicine practitioners, Lyonpo emphasized that strengthening educational infrastructure is both timely and essential. He also expressed sincere gratitude to the Government of India, particularly the Embassy of India in Bhutan, for generously supporting the project through the Project Tied Assistance grant, and highlighted that the enduring friendship between Bhutan and India continues to contribute meaningfully to shared development aspirations and the nurturing of future generations of Sowa Rigpa healers.

Currently, the Faculty of Traditional Medicine offers Master’s, Bachelor’s, and Diploma programmes in Traditional Medicine and accommodates around 100 trainees. Due to the lack of separate hostel facilities, both male and female students are currently housed in the same hostel, posing significant inconvenience. The construction of a dedicated girls’ hostel will therefore address this long-standing challenge and improve the overall learning environment.

Additionally, as part of the event, a 32-seater bus procured under the GoI PTA project for the Faculty of Undergraduate Medicine was formally handed over to the faculty. The bus will primarily be used to transport MBBS students between the Taba campus and the teaching hospital, JDWNRH, to facilitate mandatory clinical training from the second year onwards.

KGUMSB would like to express its deep appreciation to the Royal Government of Bhutan and the Government of India for their continued and unwavering support in strengthening medical and health education in the country.