The 65-bed Gyaltsuen Jetsun Pema Mother and Child Hospital in Monggar is nearing completion, bringing eastern Bhutan closer to a major boost in maternal and child healthcare. Gifted by His Majesty The King, the hospital’s main building has been largely completed, with only final testing, commissioning, and the installation of medical equipment remaining.
According to the Ministry of Health’s latest status report, workers are carrying out finishing touches, including testing electrical systems, repairing minor wall defects, interior painting, tile cleaning, and completing furniture, kitchen, laundry, and signage work. Installation of government-supplied medical equipment has already begun, while equipment provided by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is expected to arrive and be installed next month.
The project has experienced several delays since its original completion target in July last year. The setbacks were caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, bridge damage, landslides, transportation challenges, workforce shortages, and more recently, technical issues involving cooling systems, power metering, and transformer voltage verification.
So far, around Nu 868 million has been spent from the revised project budget of approximately Nu 960 million, funded by the Government of India under its Project Tied Assistance programme. The hospital is expected to become fully operational after JICA completes the installation of medical equipment by the end of next month.
