Lyonchhen Tshering Tobgay met with Dr. Poonam Khetrapal Singh, Regional Director of WHO, SEARO at Gyalyong Tshogkhang today. Lyonchhen reiterated his discussion last week with Dr. Oleg Chestnov of WHO for making Thimphu into a “health city” by building proper cycling lanes, jogging paths and outdoor gyms.
Lyonchhen also requested WHO’s assistance to introduce mobile screening units where people can receive basic check ups for blood pressure and sugar levels ( for example) without having to go to hospitals. With early detection Lyonchhen hopes to reduce the number of people suffering from Non Communicable Diseases (NCD) in Bhutan.
Lyonchhen and Dr. Poonam also discussed – neonatal mortality; Ebola; nutrition for school children, mother, babies; advocacy for salt consumption among other issues.