THIMPHU, Jan 21: At a ceremony held at Paro airport on Wednesday, Ruchira Kamboj, Indian Ambassador to Bhutan, handed over the vaccine consignment to the Bhutanese health minister Dechen Wangmo in the presence of Prime Minister Dr Lotay Tshering.
The entire consignment of ‘Made in India’ vaccines was brought into Bhutan by an Indian AN32 aircraft.
According to the Indian Embassy in Bhutan, the Government of India provided the Royal Government of Bhutan with 1,50,000 doses as a testament to India and Bhutan’s special relationship and unique close friendship. The shipment is a donation to the people and government of Bhutan from the people and government of India.
The Prime Minister of Bhutan in a tweet message stated, “I would like to congratulate PM@narendramodi and the people of India for the landmark launch of nationwide COVID-19 vaccination drive today. We hope it comes as an answer to pacify all the sufferings we have endured this pandemic”.
In a Facebook post the office of the Prime Minister of Bhutan stated, “Leytshog Lopen Sangay Dorji Central Monastic Body of Bhutan Zhung Dratshang presided over prayers for auspicious endeavour, and conducted a purification of the consignment. The Indian government has assured Bhutan’s target population of slightly over 533,500 to cover the two doses requirement and has committed to delivering the remaining consignments soon.”
Bhutan is the first country to receive the vaccine from India. Vaccines were received in Bhutan within five days of the launch in India on January 16.
On 19-20 January, before the delivery of vaccines, a training program, covering administrative and operational aspects, was conducted for immunization managers, cold chain officers, communication officers and data managers from Bhutan, both at the national and provincial levels.
India has also provided training to Bhutanese healthcare professionals to further strengthen and enhance their clinical capabilities under the ‘Partnerships for Accelerating Clinical Trials’ programme.
The Government of India had earlier handed over ten consignments of medical supplies, portable X-Ray machines, vital medicines and medical equipment to Bhutan reflecting the special bonds of trust and understanding between the two countries that has been in existence over decades.
(Venkatesh Iyer)