On behalf of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Mr. Kozo Watanabe, Chief Representative of JICA Bhutan Office handed over 1000 face shields and 4000 face masks to the Hon’ble Lyonpo Karma Donnen Wangdi, Minister of Ministry of Information and Communications yesterday at MoIC, Thimphu, in presence of the Hon’ble Secretary and other officials from MoIC and JICA.
The Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) will be distributed to frontline workers under the Department of Air Transport and Road Safety Transport Authority. Lyonpo thanked JICA for extending the support and further, the Hon’ble Minister and Mr. Kozo Watanabe took the opportunity to discuss the project proposal for health data analytics which will also set up the health data bank, medical data bank, and bio data bank. The project is the first of its kind with the potential for creating one of the world’s leading health and medical databases. The database can also be used for medical and pharmaceutical research which will become the basis for personalized medicine and preventive measures including early detection. The project also leans on the technological evolution taking place and how data will be generated through personal devices and life course data will be captured for individuals. The data will be linked to the digital ID of each citizen.
The equipment was handed over as part of the utilization of the outputs for creating awareness on the Business Continuity Plan (BCP) developed through the Project for Development of BCP for Disaster Control. The activities include expanding the experience gained in creating BCP through technical cooperation with Bhutan Telecom to BBS, airport staff, Road Safety Officials, emergency response volunteers, and other frontline responders. The Chief Representative stated that JICA highly appreciates the contribution of all the front-line workers working tirelessly towards keeping us all safe.
Contact Person : Ms. Pema Chetsho