National News

By Tshering Given the social menace HIV/AIDS is causing, the national HIV?AIDS commission was reconstituted after 13 years. It was endorsed during the 133rd session of the Lhengye Zhungtshog last month. The vision of the commission is to make the HIV and AIDS no longer a public health problem in the country and to provide exemplary leadership in effective prevention, …

Disease attributed to contaminated private water source By Tshering As of Friday, the health ministry has confirmed 23 cases of para typhoid in Changzamtok, Thimphu. The first case was reported on June 21 where three individuals residing in the same building were diagnosed with typhoid and admitted at the National Referral hospital. After the admission of three patients, Royal Centre …

Drug abuse and illicit trafficking of controlled substances is a growing issue in the country By Kinley Yonten Bhutan is facing rising cases of cannabis users, while pharmaceutical opioids remain the second most commonly used drug in Bhutan, according to the World Drug Report. This is recognized as Bhutan joined the international community in observing the Day against Drug Abuse …

By Tshering The newly opened Business Incubation Unit (BIU) will help promote employability among the graduates of TTIs and IZCs and further consolidate the skills and knowledge of trainees at the Thimphu Institute for Zorig Chusum (IZC). BIU has become increasingly common for stimulating local development through fostering the growth of small-business in many parts of the world. Since the …

East-West highway to be completed by 2018 By Kinley Yonten The first stretch of 65 kilometer of Northern East-West Highway from Simtokha to Wangdue was inaugurated on June 28. The Foreign Minister, Damcho Dorji and the Works and Human Settlement Minister, Dorji Choden inaugurated the 65-kilometre Simtokha-Wangdue upgraded highway at Semtokha. Widening and up-gradation work on 510km East-West Highway, which …

First workshop between the judiciary and media By Kinley Yonten To have better understanding between the judiciary and media, Drangpons from the judiciary, legal professionals and journalist from different media houses attended a two-day workshop to share expectation from each other. It was the first workshop for representatives from the media conducted by the judiciary to help understand reporting on …

Movement against the ban on slaughter of cows in India could affect supply of beef By Kinley Yonten The meat ban month is over, but it is not sure if the flow of meat, especially beef would be as smooth as before the ban. In recent months, there is a movement in India to ban the slaughter of cows. Cows …

Patient meals are not provided based on nutritional requirement of the patients, finds RAA   By Kinley Yonten Not meeting specific nutritional needs of patients could deteriorate their condition and prolong hospital stay as well as their recovery, according to an audit report on performance audit of hospital food. Patient meals were not provided based on nutritional requirements or disease …

By Tshering The government and the World Bank on Friday signed a USD 8 million (M) Global Agriculture Food Security Program (GAFSP) grant that will help increase agricultural productivity and enhance access to markets for farmers in selected gewogs in Southwest Bhutan. The World Bank will be the supervising entity while the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) will …

  By Staff Reporter  His Royal Highness Gyaltshab Jigme Dorji Wangchuck graced the grand finale of Mewang Gyalsey Archery Tournament, played on imported bow in the Yangphel style on February 8. It was organized by the Office of the Gyaltshab, Gyalpoizhing, Mongar as part of commemoration of the first birth anniversary of His Royal Highness Gyalsey Jigme Namgyel Wangchuck.   The programme …