Kyoto University Hospital’s Bhutan Project

In 2013, based on a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Health of Bhutan and Khesar Gyalpo University of Medical Sciences of Bhutan, Kyoto University Hospital began a program of medical support and international exchange with Bhutan. The Hospital dispatched medical staff, including doctors, nurses, technicians and nutritionists, to Bhutan’s core hospital, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital (JDW Hospital).
The MoU was renewed in 2017 and 2020. From the 2017 renewal onward, the Hospital has been welcoming medical staff from JDW Hospital for international exchange activities focused on three items:

1. Dispatch of doctors and other medical staff to Bhutan, based on requests from Bhutan
2. Assistance in development of medical specialist training programs through clinical activities
3. Guidance on public health and use of medical equipment for the improvement of the medical environment in Bhutan

This program of medical exchange with Bhutan, based on Bhutan’s philosophy of Gross National Happiness, not only contributes to the improvement of medical services in Bhutan but also provides valuable experience in the themes of conducting as much diagnostics as possible with limited medical equipment and of finding the meaning of happiness.