On 7 December 2022, Mrs. Ureerat Chareontoh, Director-General of Thailand International Cooperation Agency (TICA) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, together with Mr. Pemba Wangchuk, Acting Secretary of Ministry of Health of Bhutan, co-chaired the Project Steering Committee (PSC) Meeting to conclude the Development of Ear Nose Throat (ENT) Centre Project in Bhutan at Jigme Dorji Wangchuk National Referral Hospital, Thimphu, Bhutan. The meeting was also attended by the representatives from the Department of Medical Services, Ministry of Public Health of Thailand, namely, Dr. Manus Potaporn, Deputy Director-General, Dr. Attasit Srisubat, Senior Advior and Dr. Tatsanachat Jittreetat, Senior Professional Level Medical Physician from Rajavithi Hospital.

 

Later developed by TICA, the Thai and Bhutanese Ministries of Public Health, Rajavithi Hospital, as well as Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, the project workplans, including 10 short-term training courses and provision of 8 necessary medical equipment, were successfully completed after the first implementation in 2021, with total value of 18 million Baht.

 

On the same occasion, Mrs. Ureerat Chareontoh, on behalf of the Royal Thai Government, handed over the set of 8 medical equipment for ENT surgery and diagnosis, worth 14 million Baht, to Jigme Dorji Wangchuk National Referral Hospital. This provision of equipment was supported by Thailand under the Development of ENT Centre Project in order to elevate the ENT medical services in Bhutan as well as reduce patient referrals to other countries outside Bhutan.

 

This project was initiated during the Official Visit of Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha to Bhutan in 2019 which also marked the 30th anniversary of Thailand-Bhutan diplomatic relation