Prime Minister Narendra Modi embarked on a two-day trip to Bhutan, where he inaugurated a modern hospital in Thimphu on Saturday, March 23. Named the Gyaltsuen Jetsun Pema Wangchuk Mother and Child Hospital, the facility is aimed at providing excellent healthcare services, with a primary focus on mothers and children. Funded by the Bharatiya government, the hospital symbolizes the robust developmental collaboration between Bharat and Bhutan.
The joint inauguration ceremony, attended by both Prime Ministers of the respective countries, underscores the commitment of Bharat and Bhutan towards ensuring a healthier future generation. PM Modi took to his social media handle, calling the hospital a beacon of hope for numerous families in Bhutan, emphasizing its role in providing quality healthcare.
Inaugurated the Gyaltsuen Jetsun Pema Wangchuck Mother and Child Hospital, which stands as a beacon of hope for several families, offering quality healthcare. This facility embodies a commitment to nurturing a healthy future generation. pic.twitter.com/4A3y80L7yA
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 23, 2024
According to the Ministry of External Affairs, the development of the 150-bed hospital was carried out in two phases. The first phase, completed in 2019 at a cost of Rs 22 crore, has been operational since then. The second phase, initiated in 2019 under the 12th Five Year Plan with a budget of Rs 119 crore, further enhances the hospital’s capabilities.
The modern facility is equipped with advanced amenities in Pediatrics, Gynecology and Obstetrics, Anesthesiology, Operation Theatre, Neonatal Intensive Care, and Pediatric Intensive Care. The External Affairs Ministry spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, hailed the hospital as a testament to the strong development cooperation between Bharat and Bhutan.
Bhutan’s Health Minister, Tandin Wangchuk, expressed gratitude to Bharat for its ongoing support in the health sector. He also hinted at plans for a cancer hospital on the same campus, aimed at bolstering Bhutan’s tertiary healthcare facilities and reducing the need for patients to travel to Bharat for treatment.
During his visit, PM Modi met with Bhutan’s King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and held discussions with Prime Minister Tobgay to reinforce Bharat’s special bond with the neighboring country. As part of Bharat’s commitment to Bhutan, PM Modi announced a financial aid package of Rs 10,000 crore for the next five years.
In a historic moment, King Wangchuck presented the ‘Order of the Druk Gyalpo’ to Prime Minister Modi during a public event, marking the first time a foreign Head of Government has received this prestigious award. This recognition acknowledges PM Modi’s efforts in developing India-Bhutan relations and his leadership focus on public welfare.
Bharat and Bhutan share longstanding diplomatic ties, established in 1968. The Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation, signed in 1949 and updated in 2007, forms the foundation of this partnership, reaffirming the enduring bonds between the two nations.
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