Paro, 25 March 2025 – In a significant step toward strengthening Bhutan’s health security and pandemic preparedness, the Tendrel Ceremony and Thruesel (purification ritual) for the newly installed Sentry MK-4 Thermal Screening System was held at Paro International Airport yesterday. The installation of this advanced thermal screening system (Sentry MK-4) significantly strengthens health surveillance at points of entry, enabling the early detection of travellers with fever- a common symptom of infectious diseases like COVID-19, Ebola, and Mpox. By identifying potential cases promptly, the system allows for immediate health assessment and intervention, ensuring a rapid and effective response, particularly during epidemics and pandemics.
Key features of the Sentry MK-4 include:

• High Accuracy – Engineered for precise skin temperature measurement, the system is
  backed by a study published in the peer-reviewed journal (PubMed), which found the
  Omnisense ITDS technology (on which the Sentry MK-4 is based) to have the highest
  sensitivity (89.7%) and strong specificity (92.0%) among comparable thermal
  screening devices.
• Fast and Efficient – Capable of rapid mass screening, the system significantly reduces
  wait times while ensuring seamless passenger flow.
• User-Friendly & Portable – Designed for ease of operation with minimal training, the
  device is highly portable, making it adaptable for deployment at various locations.

The ceremony was graced by the Honourable Dasho Dzongda of Paro Dzongkhag, along with
the Offtg. Director of the Department of Public Health (DoPH), senior officials from the
Ministry of Health (MoH), Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport (MOIT), Ministry of Home
Affairs (MOHA) and representatives from various sectors based at the airport. Their presence
underscored the multi-sectoral commitment to strengthening Bhutan’s public health security and
emergency preparedness.

MoH extends its deep appreciation to the IHR National Focal Point Network (especially the IHR NFP of India) for their valuable recommendation; the Pandemic Fund Project for their ongoing support, and WHO Country Office for their assistance in procurement. Special kudos to the dedicated technical team for their exceptional work in
assembling and calibrating this sophisticated system. This initiative reaffirms Bhutan’s commitment to proactive health security measures, and adherence to International Health Regulations (IHR) ensuring robust disease control measures at the country’s busiest point of entry.

For further information, please contact:

Mr. Ugyen Tshering
Dy. Chief Programme Officer
IHR, CDD, DoPH, MoH
utshering@health.gov.bt