BHUTAN: A twenty-year old association that endures

THIMPU, Bhutan / KuenselOnLine / News / June 29, 2011

A shared medical experience between the US and Bhutan
Health Volunteers Overseas

By Dechen Yangzom

When Dr Robert E Stein, an American orthopaedic surgeon, visited Bhutan 20 years ago, the country did not have any trained orthopaedic surgeons. Dr Stein discussed a possible collaboration between the Health Volunteers Overseas (HVO) and Bhutan, and the first volunteer came in May 1991. This started a partnership between Bhutan and the United States that continues today.

Since then more than 200 volunteers have served 200 different assignments with various departments of the Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital (file photo below) in Thimphu. This has been possible with funding from the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS).

“HVO was introduced to Bhutan at a critical time when Bhutan had the biggest shortage of medical specialists,” health secretary Dasho (Dr) Gado Tshering said. “Over the years HVO has shared their experiences with a number of Bhutanese specialists in anaesthesia, physical therapy, and emergency medicine.”

The current program director of orthopaedics for HVO in Bhutan, Dr Robert Hoffman, who was in Thimphu recently, said, HVO in Bhutan has branched out in many other departments, such as physical therapy, psychiatry, anaesthesia, paediatrics, internal medicine, and emergency medicine.

“HVO in Bhutan has matured and we’re now trying to give other doctors specialties in spinal, paediatric, and hand surgeries, as well as in sports medicine, which is a sub-area of orthopaedics,” Dr Hoffman said.

HVOs have also been training technicians at the Royal Institute of Health Sciences. A two-year old orthopaedic program has also been established at the Mongar regional hospital.

Although all the current orthopaedic surgeons in Bhutan were trained in Siriraj hospital under Mahidol University in Thailand, two other Bhutanese orthopaedic surgeons have attended a Surgical Implant Generation Network (SIGN) conference through HVO that donated machines to Bhutan for long bone fractures.

Bhutanese orthopaedic surgeons have also been invited to the United States to train with HVO doctors.

“Although Bhutan is comparably less developed in its medical grounds than the United States, HVO has improved the diversity of medical services in Bhutan and can be regarded to set the goal and direction of Bhutan’s future,” Dasho (Dr) Gado Tshering said.

Copyright © 2010 Kuensel Corporation
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BHUTAN: Old age homes, not a solution but a need

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THIMPHU / Tandin Pem / As I like It / April 7, 2011

 With the opening of Bhutan’s first old age home in Radhi, Trashigang, recently, Bhutan’s old moral dilemma resurfaced – whether old age homes sit comfortably on the GNH country’s conscience.

Answering the media’s question on this subject yesterday, Lyonchhen Jigme Y Thinley said old age homes are not the solution, but a need. “That is not what we should promote, but it is needed right now. It is a temporary arrangement,” he said.

Lyonchhen said initiatives are being taken by various parties to cater to the needs of the aged people who are abandoned by their families in the GNH country because of rural-urban migration.

Old people in the country, Lyonchhen said, are abandoned ‘not in a very big way, but the trend is beginning to emerge, the number is enough for us to worry.’

Lyonchhen added that the solution must be one whereby the aged will continue as in the past to be the object of reverence and respect within the family. He said the government will it worthwhile, not only socially and emotionally, even financially for families to look after their aged folks.

See related report in the BHUTAN OBSERVER
Old age homes, not a solution but a need: PM

Meanwhile, there are plans to establish another old age home in Bidung in Trashigang. Speaker Jigme Tshultrim said the new home will take in old people from all parts of Bhutan. He said, “This has become a necessity in view of GNH.”

One of the mandates of the recently registered civil society organisation called Royal Society for Senior Citizens (RSSC) is opening old age homes. Pema Tenzin, the vice president of the organisation, said old age homes are necessary for people without siblings and family members.

Opposition Leader Tshering Tobgay said that, if old age homes give the senior citizens a sense of dignity and security in their final years, he fully supports the idea. But he asked why old age homes are needed in the first place. He asked, “Why don't our senior citizens have homes? Are our communities failing? Are we abandoning our parents? If so, why? Is it urbanization? Or are our values declining?”

Sangay Khandu, a National Council member from Gasa, said old age homes would generally benefit the Bhutanese society. “As a compassionate society, and a small one at that, we have always taken care of our own,” he said, adding that the subject of old age home is a ‘very emotional one to each one of us’.

Eighty-year-old Phurba from Dagana, who has been living in the patients’ guest house at Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital in Thimphu, said there is a genuine need of old age homes.

Phurba is the father of six children, all of whom died young. His wife also died young. He has no siblings.

Posted by Tandin Pem

BHUTAN: Number of old on the streets flies in face of GNH philosophy

. THIMPHU, Bhutan / Kuensel Daily News / June 23, 2009 GNH? That's Gross National Happiness By Kinga Dema His wrinkled right hand wrapped tight around a stick, Lhakpa, 74, sits on a roadside pavement near the Thimphu vegetable market, staring at no one in particular. LandCruisers zip by leaving a cloud of dust. The specks descend on his faded gho, dusty from days of sitting by the roadside. He lights a bidi, takes in a deep puff, and is ready to talk to Kuensel. "Whether I’m alive or not doesn’t make any difference to my son," says Lhakpa. Lhakpa came to Thimphu from Paro after he fell severely ill years ago. He spent months in Thimphu hospital. By the time he recovered, he learnt that his only son had sold the small house he owned in Paro and disowned him. His wife had died several years back. Lhakpa became a vagabond. "I never have three meals a day," he said, adding that he is just praying for a peaceful death. Lhakpa has many such friends with him: old people loitering around town, begging near monasteries or markets, and sleeping on the sidewalks. What prompts these old people to leave their villages is their children, who have migrated to urban centres for work. With age fast catching up on them, and no one to look after them in the villages, they come to towns to spend their last days with their children. Many land up being mistreated, as their children struggle to survive the high standard of living in towns. This is especially true where the children earn less. At times, the stubbornness of old parents resulted in ego clashes with their children, so they walked out of homes. The issue, observers say, is the disintegration of traditional families into nuclear ones and whether there should be an old age home in Bhutan. There aren’t many agencies that have taken up the issue. Tarayana Foundation, a non-government organisation, looks after the welfare of abandoned, disabled and mentally challenged people. They are paid a monthly stipend of Nu 500. It also disperses funds-to dzongkhags for such identified people in the villages. As of 2008, Tarayana supports 141 senior citizens and 73 people under special needs programme across the country. The director of the national commission for women and children (NCWC), Dr Rinchen Chophel, said that NCWC handled people discarded by their families. NCWC was promoting the issue in every possible way, he said. "The government should decide whether they can apply the concept of GNH equally for everyone, including discarded elderly people," said Dr Rinchen Chophel. "The concept shouldn’t just apply to those, who are happy, because they already have ways and means." National Assembly (NA) member, Dupthob, said that, although Bhutan needs an old age home, the pros and cons should be studied well. He said that it might hurt the age-old traditional family bonds and values that most Bhutanese share, unlike in the west. "So, if there’s an old age home, chances of children dumping their parents are likely to increase." NA member, Tshering Penjor, said: "We’re in talks with the government on the issue. But, personally, I feel that, if old age homes are established, they will be under-utilised. Our culture demands children to look after their parents in old age. However, it will be beneficial for homeless people, who don’t have children of their own." National Councillor Justin Gurung said that, with the changing times, there were more nuclear families emerging with young couples seeking freedom. "I am of strong opinion that we should have a proper shelter to accommodate the helpless elderly people." Meanwhile, NCWC has plans to start a transit shelter for the abandoned and discarded people by this July that may also include accommodation. [rc] Copyright @ Kuensel Corporation

BHUTAN: Senior Japanese Volunteer Masayuki Trains By Setting An Example

. THIMPU, Bhutan / The Bhutan Observer / February 6, 2009 Masayuki from Japan is a highly skilled mechanic. But his trade goes beyond fixing engines. Rabi C Dahal explores the dignity of labour through this mechanic-cum-sweeper expatriate worker. If you happen to visit Zimdra office in Phuentsholing between 7 am and 9 am, before other officials come to office, and find 55- plus-looking man in light blue dangri cleaning common toilets, don’t mistake him for a Bhutanese sweeper. He may reply to you in a few Dzongkha words, but he is neither a Bhutanese nor a sweeper. He is a Japanese volunteer working in Zimdra as a mechanical trainer. Masayuki, a bachelor, says his age is a ‘top’ secret. For the last six years, he has been following a strict routine, a punishing routine at that by Bhutanese standards. He comes to office early in the morning, cleans the office premises and starts his work. “I want to set an example and teach the Bhutanese people to work in a clean environment,” says Masayuki in his smattering English. “Working in a clean environment is good for health,” he said, adding that he can’t use a dirty toilet and can’t work in a dusty and dirty environment. “The campus is too large so I assist the sweepers,” he said. Masayuki’s day starts at 5 am. In the evening, he leaves office 10 minutes later than others, only after cleaning the premises once again. Later in the evening, he is joined by his office friends in a bar. He drinks two bottles of Fosters beer each day. Back home, he cooks for himself. “Except for chillies, I like any kind of food,” he says. He goes to bed at 11 pm sharp. Tshewang, a co-worker in Zimdra, said that the Bhutanese should learn from him. “Such a dignified and senior mechanic cleaning toilets is something worth emulating,” he said, adding that the Bhutanese always shift responsibilities to somebody else and don’t bother to even pick up litters lying in front of them. Masayuki trains the inhouse mechanics and trainees from vocational training institutes, who are sent to Zimdra on apprenticeship trainings on the changing technology in the automobile world. Masayuki came to Bhutan in 2002 as a volunteer from Japan Skilled Volunteers Association and worked for four years in Singye and Zimdra automobile industries. He went back to Japan for 10 months. He returned to Bhutan through Nippon Skilled Volunteers Association. He worked for 10 months in Bhutan Automobile Association in Thimphu but couldn’t continue due to health problems in the cold place. He was later posted to Zimdra Automobiles in Phuentsholing. He said the company has all the facilities required to impart his knowledge to the staff and trainees. He is paid USD 1000 a month by the Japanese NGO. He pays Nu 5800 as house rent, electricity and water bills. BB Ghalley from Singye Agencies in Phuentsholing said Masayuki is a most advanced learner and keeps up-to-date with the latest technology. “Whenever there are new models of vehicles coming into the country, he is asked to analyse the kind of technology used and teach the company’s mechanics,” he said. He added that, while teaching his students, Masayuki started from minute details and went to complex components. Masayuki can speak some Nepali lines such as “teme ramri chaw” (you are beautiful). He can use a few Dzongkha words and understand many more. He said working in a work place with the people of all races is sometimes challenging. “There are people from different communities of Bhutan and Indians from different religious backgrounds. Working with them in a group is sometimes difficult,” he said. Zimdra staff say that Masayuki is a hardworking man and mingles with anyone from executives to sweepers. “He comes to office even on Sundays and teaches us and treats us to lunch,” said a mechanic. Masayuki has donated a few of his training materials and models to training institutes. The company will lose this dynamic man by the end of March when his contract completes. BB Ghalley said, “We will miss him and we will lose a good trainer.” Masayuki said that, if his contract could be extended, he wants to work in Bhutan but “in Phuentsholing or other hot places, not in Thimphu or Paro”. When Masayuki first came to Bhutan, he taught a group of students from Samthang Vocational Training Institute. His students said he was a patient instructor and taught everything he knew. “We felt comfortable learning from him,” said a trainee. Copyright © 2009 Bhutan Observer

BHUTAN: At 107, she's 7 years older than the dynasty

THIMPU, Bhutan / Kuensel News / November 6, 2008 By Tashi Dema t_dyel@kuensel.com.bt Living to a ripe old age is life's greatest blessing for 107-year old Abi Sonam Pelzom from Kheng Bjoka in Zhemgang. Rich in memories of her encounter with Bhutan's first King, whom she refers to as the king with a beard, this toothless, wrinkled old woman will get to see his great grandson who is crowned on November 6. "Gongsar Ugyen Wangchuck patted my head when I went to visit my brother Chimila, who served the King in Wangdicholing, Bumthang," she said. Brought from Gelephu, where she stays with her only daughter, ever since she was diagnosed with asthma and advised to live in a hot place, on November 2, Abi Sonam Pelzom, one of the four applicants for centenary citizen's award, lives in Serbithang with her granddaughter today. Like many Bhutanese, Abi Sonam wishes to offer thri dar to His Majesty. But she is doubtful if her old age and legs would carry her. "I'll whisper my prayers and good wishes of longevity to the king through the wind if I can't manage to offer the thri dar," she said. "But I'll try to come." Having had the privilege to meet all four Kings of Bhutan, her only wish today is to take a photograph with the fifth King. "I have to come out nice in the photograph," she smiled through her wrinkles. Though her stream of thought often breaks down, Abi Sonam remembers her visit to Lho Drak Karchung in Tibet, where she offered cotton wicks, which are found in plenty in Kheng Bjoka, instead of money, at all the holy places she visited. Village in Bjoka gewog, Zhemgang. Pic: Bhutan Majestic Travels According to Abi Sonam's daughter, Jigme Lhamo, 71, Abi Sonam claims to have lived so long because of her visit to Lho Drak Karchung, where Jetsun Milarepa, a Tibetan saint, had built a 13-storied castle. "Buddhists believe that one would be blessed with longevity if one visits the place," Jigme said. Holding her prayer beads in her left hand, Abi Sonam describes the tall, gigantic Bjoka Koche's (a noble family in Lower Kheng) palace, all the rooms her uncles occupied, her journey into the interior Kheng villages of Kumari and Gugsangbi, carrying about 50 kg of maize. Centenarians to be honoured All the centenarians in the country will be awarded cash prizes and certificates on December 17. According to Citizens' Initiative for Coronation and Centenary Celebrations's Dorji Wangchuk, a grand centenary citizen award would be given to the oldest. "It would be impossible to bring all the centenarians to Thimphu, but we'll be sending our camerapersons to the places where they live and make documentaries," he said. Giving a kera (belt) as a souvenir to a monk, who visits her, Abi Sonam prays that the monk should live long like her. She has a brother, aged 101 in Gelephu. Copyright @ Kuensel Corporation

BHUTAN: 28 Elderly Persons Donate Cash to Celebrate Coronation

. THIMPU, Bhutan / Kuensel Newspaper / November 6, 2008 By Tandin Wangchuk The Phendey Kidu tshogpa, a charity group comprising of 28 elderly members joined the Coronation and Centenary celebrations by donating Nu 111,111 to the Tarayana Foundation on Monday. "We can't dance or run we wanted to celebrate the centenary and coronation by donating this small amount which could help the poor," said 73 –year old Tempa, a tshogpa member. The 28 tshogpas, all above 50 years of Dolma Lhakhang consists of mainly businessman as their member. Dolma lhakhang is located just below the Thai pavilion in Hongkong market. "If we can help others in any way, that will be a celebration for us," said another member, Dochu, 66. The patron and founder of Tarayana Foundation Her Majesty Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck received the money on behalf of Tarayana. "I'm very moved by this gesture and the amount will go on to support the needs of the disadvantaged," said Her Majesty. Tarayana Foundation, a non-profitable organization was established in 2003 and supports vulnerable individuals across the country. Currently it has about 240 old beneficiaries and over 1,200 student beneficiaries across the country. Copyright @ Kuensel Corporation