The Royal Government of Bhutan and the Kingdom of Thailand today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Cooperation in Specialized Medical Capacity Development for Health Security and Services, marking a significant milestone in the longstanding health partnership between the two countries. The signing ceremony was held at the Ministry of Health in Thimphu.
The MoU was signed between the Department of Medical Services, Ministry of Public Health, Thailand, and National Medical Services (NMS) and Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital (JDWNRH).
The signing program was presided over by His Excellency Mr. Pattana Promphat, Minister of Public Health of Thailand, and Lyonpo Tandin Wangchuk, Minister of Health of Bhutan.
The MoU aims to establish strategic partnership to strengthen essential medical and public health capacities between the two countries, facilitating the exchange of medical personnel, training, and joint capacity-building activities aligned with Bhutan’s institutional priorities. Cooperation under the agreement will place particular focus on developing specialized medical capacity in renal transplant services, alongside collaboration in medical and public health research, the exchange of knowledge and best practices, joint health security initiatives, and exploring mechanisms to refer Bhutanese private patients to selected tertiary hospitals in Thailand at mutually agreed terms. Implementation of the MoU will be guided by periodically developed Joint Work Plans, coordinated through a Policy Focal Point and designated Technical Focal Points on each side.
Speaking at the ceremony, Lyonpo Tandin Wangchuk said the agreement reflects the deep and enduring friendship between Bhutan and Thailand, inspired by the close bond between the Royal Families of the two Kingdoms, and reaffirms Bhutan’s commitment to building sustainable, in-country specialized medical capacity- particularly in renal care- in partnership with Thailand’s leading medical institutions.
His Excellency Mr. Pattana Promphat noted that the MoU institutionalizes decades of cooperation between Thai and Bhutanese medical institutions and reflects Thailand’s continued commitment to supporting Bhutan’s health sector development.
The signing of the MoU forms part of a broader programme of engagements during the visit of the Thai Minister of Public Health and his delegation to Bhutan, aimed at renewing partnership between the health sectors of the two countries and exploring new areas of collaboration.
For media inquiries, please contact the Planning and Policy Division, Ministry of Health, Royal Government of Bhutan at ppd@health.gov.bt