January 16: Bhutan will have its first ever premier medical college by February 2011. This was revealed at a consultation meeting on the establishment of the medical college in Thimphu.

Ministry of Health is collaborating with All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in India to establish the country’s first ever medical college.

Led by Health Secretary Dasho Dr. Gado Tshering, the clinical heads of JDWNRH met with professionals from AIIMS to discuss the technical requirements for the new college. Discussions focused human resource to curriculum and other facilities.

The Director General of Ministry of Health, Dr. Dorji Wangchuk said there is shortage of pre-clinical faculty. He said pre-clinical faculty will have to be recruited from outside while Bhutanese doctors are being trained outside in the field.

The new 350 bedded hospital will be used as the basis for the college. At the sametime, the Health Ministry will have to develop the curriculum and affiliate the college with other premier medical colleges. The type of courses to be offered and the basis of students to be recruited will have to be worked out.

The Secretary of the Ministry of Health said the curriculum will be developed to meet international standards. This means doctors who pass out from the college will be able work in other countries as well.

The SAARC Telemedicine facilities will be used to link the college with other premier medical colleges. This will enable the trainee doctors to learn from professional doctors abroad.

Health officials say the college is will help to address the acute shortage of doctors in the country. It is also expected to be one of the premier medical institutions in the region and a center for medical education.

The establishment of the college is one of the ten five year projects agreed between Bhutan and India. It will be funded by the Government of India.