63 research outputs found
The Relationship between Bhutan's GNH pillars and the Environmental Rule of Law
No full textBhutan’s national principle of Gross National Happiness (GNH) has led to a framework for assessing critical government decisions on policies, legislation and individual projects. Human well-being such as that envisaged through the pursuit of GNH can, in part at least, be achieved through the implementation of the rule of law relating to environmental protection. In recent years the concept of the ‘Environmental rule of law’ (ERoL) has evolved as a framework to consider the principle of the rule of law within the environmental context. It aims to link environmental governance and sustainability with fundamental rights and duties. It draws on a broad range of rights and duties relevant to the protection of the environment, and as such has relevance to the principle of GNH and its application.
This article examines Bhutanese approaches to environmental governance inspired by GNH in order to better understand how they may coincide with those principles and concepts that are incorporated within the concept of ERoL. It draws upon the iteration of ERoL developed within UNEP’s ERoL Framework (2019) and considers the relationship that specific aspects of the Framework have with Bhutan’s approach. Three aspects of Bhutan’s laws and system of environmental governance are considered. Firstly, it considers the Constitution of Bhutan to evaluate the provisions that it contains relating to the rule of law and the protection of the environment. Second, it examines the institutional arrangements and practice for implementing and enforcing environmental protection. Finally, it considers access to justice and the role of the judiciary in achieving GNH within the environmental context.
The article seeks to highlight the relationship that the good governance and environmental conservation pillars of GNH have with key components of the concept of ERoL. It does so to share insights that may be of use in furthering the implementation of environmental law in Bhutan and which may also demonstrate the benefits of adopting Bhutanese approaches to environmental protection more broadly
Serotypes and antibiotic susceptibility of Streptococcus pneumoniae in the Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital, Thimphu, Bhutan: a preliminary finding
No full textIntroduction: Streptococcus pneumoniae cause life-threatening infections, mostly affecting children under five years in developing countries. Several countries in South Asia have incorporated a pneumococcal vaccine in their immunization schedule. Bhutan is currently considering the introduction of a vaccine, although no studies in the country to date have characterized the serotypes of S.pneumoniae to gauge the potential vaccine coverage. We, therefore, characterized pneumococcal serotypes isolated from patients in the Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital (JDWNRH), Thimphu.
Methods: Four hospitals attempted to study S.pneumoniae from various clinical specimens from January 2014 to December 2015, although only the JDWNRH was able to isolate pneumococci. Isolates were tested for antibiotic susceptibility and serotyped at a reference laboratory in India.
Results: Thirtyseven isolates were preliminarily identified as S. pneumoniae at the JDWNRH. At the reference laboratory, two isolates could not be revived and 14 were identified as non-pneumococcal streptococci. From the remaining 21 isolates, 15 different serotypes were identified. The Bhutanese serotypes were more comparable to those of India than Bangladesh or Nepal. Current vaccines would cover 26.7% (Prevnar, 7-valent), 40.0% (Synflorix, 10-valent), and 53.3% (Prevnar, 13-valent and Pneumovax23, 23-valent) of these serotypes. All isolates were sensitive to penicillin, chloramphenicol, and ceftriaxone; 9.5% were resistant to erythromycin and 38.1% to cotrimoxazole.
Conclusions: For the first time, we characterized serotypes of S. pneumoniae in Bhutan. However, the findings need to be interpreted cautiously due to small numbers of isolates from one referral hospital. A larger study is needed to validate the findings and guide selection of an appropriate vaccine
Historical Profile of Dechenphu Geynyen Neykhang
No full textThe authors deal with the history of origins of Dechenphu Geynyen Neykhang, one of Bhutan's most sacred place. Various literary sources that provide scattered information on Dechenphu (means cave of consummate bliss) show that it is a significant sacred place in general, and the most important place of the protector deity for the followers of Drukpa Kargyu. There is no consolidated account of Dechenphu; pieces of information about it have to be assembled from various sources, in particular from the hagiographies of the successive abbots of Druk Ralung, the hagiographies of Phajo Drugom Zhigpo and his immediate descendants. Lhoi Choejung, the famous history of Bhutan written by Penchen Tenzin Chogyal, the 10th Je Khenpo, contains some information about Geynyen. Because of the widespread belief in Geynyen in Tibet, a Tibetan lama, Jamyangje Drupwang Drodul Dorji wrote a booklet on him. The Late Dudjom Rinpoche was another author who composed drupchog for Geynyen. The both authors bring together the information of this different historical sources
Explorando a relação entre nutrição e Aprendizagem Acadêmica entre Alunos de Samtse Colegio de educaçao
No full textThe study was conducted to explore the existence of relationship between the academic learning of college students and their nutritional diets receive from the college mess. The data was collected through a Student Food Survey (SFS) (N =135) and structured interview (N = 6) among college students who had the lived experience of having meals from the college mess. The survey data was analyzed for descriptive and correlational analysis using SPSS. Similarly, the interviews were transcribed and analyzed into three major themes: food quality, eating practices, and recommendations. The data revealed that food quality and nutritional diets served in the mess affect students’ eating habits and their academic learning. Further, the findings from survey indicate a significant positive correlation between food quality and academic learning of students. The study concluded by stating that nutritional deficiencies contribute to lack of academic concentration and therefore, recommends the college management devise strategic interventions to improve food quality in the mess.El estudio se realizó para explorar la existencia de relación entre el académicoaprendizaje de los estudiantes universitarios y sus dietas nutricionales reciben del desorden universitario. Los datosse recolectó a través de una Encuesta de Alimentación Estudiantil (SFS) (N = 135) y una entrevista estructurada (N = 6)entre estudiantes universitarios que vivieron la experiencia de comer en el comedor universitario.Los datos de la encuesta se analizaron para el análisis descriptivo y correlacional utilizando SPSS. Similar,las entrevistas fueron transcritas y analizadas en tres temas principales: calidad de los alimentos, comerprácticas y recomendaciones. Los datos revelaron que la calidad de los alimentos y las dietas nutricionalesservidos en el comedor afectan los hábitos alimenticios de los estudiantes y su aprendizaje académico. Además, elLos resultados de la encuesta indican una correlación positiva significativa entre la calidad de los alimentos yaprendizaje académico de los estudiantes. El estudio concluyó afirmando que las deficiencias nutricionalescontribuir a la falta de concentración académica y por lo tanto, recomienda la universidadla dirección idear intervenciones estratégicas para mejorar la calidad de los alimentos en el comedor.L\u27étude a été menée pour explorer l\u27existence d\u27une relation entre le milieu universitairel\u27apprentissage des étudiants du collégial et leurs régimes alimentaires reçus du mess du collège. Les donnéesa été recueillie au moyen d\u27une enquête sur l\u27alimentation des élèves (SFS) (N = 135) et d\u27un entretien structuré (N = 6)parmi les étudiants de niveau collégial qui ont vécu l\u27expérience de prendre des repas au mess du collège.Les données de l\u27enquête ont été analysées pour une analyse descriptive et corrélationnelle à l\u27aide de SPSS. De la même manière,les entretiens ont été retranscrits et analysés selon trois grands thèmes : la qualité des aliments, l\u27alimentationpratiques et recommandations. Les données ont révélé que la qualité des aliments et les régimes nutritionnelsservis au mess affectent les habitudes alimentaires des élèves et leurs apprentissages scolaires. De plus, leles résultats de l\u27enquête indiquent une corrélation positive significative entre la qualité des aliments etapprentissage scolaire des élèves. L\u27étude a conclu en déclarant que les carences nutritionnellescontribuent au manque de concentration académique et, par conséquent, recommande le collègela direction élabore des interventions stratégiques pour améliorer la qualité de la nourriture dans le mess.O estudo foi realizado para explorar a existência de relação entre oaprendizagem dos estudantes universitários e suas dietas nutricionais recebem da bagunça da faculdade. Os dadosfoi coletada por meio de uma Pesquisa de Alimentação do Aluno (SFS) (N = 135) e entrevista estruturada (N = 6)entre universitários que tiveram a experiência vivida de fazer as refeições da bagunça da faculdade.Os dados da pesquisa foram analisados para análise descritiva e correlacional por meio do SPSS. Similarmente,as entrevistas foram transcritas e analisadas em três grandes temas: qualidade dos alimentos,práticas e recomendações. Os dados revelaram que a qualidade dos alimentos e as dietas nutricionaisservidos no refeitório afetam os hábitos alimentares dos alunos e seu aprendizado acadêmico. Além disso, oresultados da pesquisa indicam uma correlação positiva significativa entre a qualidade dos alimentos eaprendizado acadêmico dos alunos. O estudo concluiu afirmando que as deficiências nutricionaiscontribuem para a falta de concentração acadêmica e, por isso, recomenda a faculdadea administração elabora intervenções estratégicas para melhorar a qualidade dos alimentos no refeitório
Psychometric properties of an instrument to assess teachers’ practice of differentiated instruction (IATPDI): a confirmatory factor analysis on Bhutanese teachers’ data
No full textIntroductionWe developed the IATPDI questionnaire, comprising seven scales for assessing teachers’ implementation of assessment methods, content, process, and product differentiation, familiarity with and use of various differentiated instruction (DI) strategies, factors influencing DI implementation, and resources used to enhance DI efficacy. This study examined the psychometric properties of the initial four scales with 35 items.MethodsThe questionnaire was administered to a sample of 237 Bhutanese teachers (66.2% male, 33.8% female), and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used for psychometric evaluation.ResultsCFA supported the hypothesized four scales (CFI = 0.911, TLI = 0.903, SRMR = 0.052, RMSEA = 0.059, χ2/df = 1.58). Cronbach’s alpha coefficients ranged from 0.83 to 0.92, and Composite reliability (CR) ranged from 0.86 to 0.92, indicating high internal consistency reliability. Inter-factor correlations supported discriminant validity for most factor pairs, but correlations exceeding 0.85 between some pairs suggested potential overlap, prompting further investigation. Average Variance Extracted (AVE) values for assessment, content, process, and product factors were 0.50, 0.41, 0.53, and 0.51, respectively. While AVE for process and product factors surpassed the commonly accepted threshold (0.50) for convergent validity, the assessment factor approached the threshold and the content factor fell below it, indicating the need for further refinement of its indicators. However, all standardized factor loadings were significant (p < 0.05), confirming convergent validity.DiscussionThese results indicate that the proposed four scales of the IATPDI questionnaire are reliable and valid in measuring the intended constructs. Nevertheless, they also highlight the need for further refinement in identified areas to enhance the tool
Impact of Nearpod on Students’ Motivation and Learning about Minerals: A Case Study
No full textThis study examines the impact of Nearpod on students’ motivation and learning outcomes about minerals. The study adopted a quantitative method; a pre-experimental design type of one-group pretest-posttest design, whereby one group of grade 10 students (n=24) was taken as a sample. An observation tool was used to study students’ motivational behavior, and a two-tier multiple-choice diagnostic instrument was employed to assess student learning outcomes. The findings indicate that using interactive digital tools positively influenced students’ motivation to learn and increased their participation in the learning process. Furthermore, the study found that using digital technology enhances students’ understanding of the subject matter as evidenced by a significant improvement in the mean marks of the students in the post-test. The findings of this research suggest that the integration of interactive digital tools into the classroom can enhance student’s learning experiences and academic performance
Honored Guests from Royal Government of Bhutan to Japan in August 2011: Tashi Delek to Dr. Dorji Wangchuk, who was Appointed as the Health Secretary
No full text特集1: 京都大学ブータン友好プログラム特集 = Special Issue 1: Contribution from the Kyoto Bhutan Friendship Program2013年10月から約半年間、ブータンのJigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hosptial(ジグミ・ドルジ・ワンチュク王立病院)で産婦人科に勤務させていただきました。私にとっては、初の海外生活であり、模索しながらの毎日でしたが、たくさんの方々のご支援のおかげ多くの経験をさせていただきました。ブータンでの半年間の経験を報告させていただきます。The author had worked as obstetrician and gynecologist in Bhutan for half year. This letter describes the medical situation in Bhutan and the author’s experiences and thought. And also author reported the differences between Bhutan and Japan. In JDWNRH, they have over 4000delivery cases for one year. Mainly, the nurses manage the labor and deliveries if it is not abnormal case. Nurses perform the all perinatal management in MCH(mother and child health center). The perinatal management of Bhutan is systematized than author expected. And, author had the opportunity to visit a Indian hospital to that referred the Bhutanese patients
Outcomes and Adverse Events of WHO Shorter Regimen in the Treatment of Multi‐Drug Resistant Tuberculosis in Bhutan: A Longitudinal Study
No full textABSTRACT Background and Aims Bhutan first introduced the Shorter Regimen, consisting of a combination of Amikacin, Clofazamine, Ethionamide, Ethambutol, high dose Isoniazid, Moxifloxacin and Pyrazinamide, for the treatment of rifampicin or multidrug resistant tuberculosis (RR/MDR‐TB) in 2018. This study describes the outcome, time to sputum conversion and adverse events of treatment among MDR‐TB patients treated with the Shorter Regimen in Bhutan. Methods This was a longitudinal study among patients with RR/MDR‐TB who were treated with the Shorten Regimen between 2018 and 2020. Throughout the treatment period, sputum smear, culture, and blood investigations were monitored. Results There were 52 patients who received the shorter regimen for MDR‐TB. Forty‐seven patients (90%) had pulmonary TB (PTB) and five (10%) had extra‐pulmonary TB (EPTB). Forty‐one patients (79%) had confirmed MDR‐TB and 11 (21%) had RR‐TB. MDR‐TB was detected in new cases in 35 patients (69%), while 11 (22%) were cases of TB relapse and five (10%) were cases of treatment failure. There were 40 patients (86%) who achieved sputum smear conversion by the end of 4 months while all patients became culture negative by the end of 3 months. All patients achieved culture conversion by the end of 3 months. The treatment success rate was 94% and there were no deaths. The common side effects were nausea, vomiting, arthralgia, dizziness, sleep disturbances, depressed mood and skin rash. QTc prolongations were observed in six patients, for which five patients needed dose modification of Moxifloxacin. Five patients had hepatitis, and two needed dose modification. Two patients were switched to the longer regimen due to amikacin‐induced profound hearing loss and nephrotoxicity. Conclusions The treatment success rate of MDR‐TB was high, with high sputum and culture conversion rates. Adequate monitoring of side effects is important in providing timely intervention
Burden of Gonorrhea and Trends in Antibiotic Susceptibility Pattern of Neisseria gonorrhoea in Bhutan Over Four Years (2012-15)
No full textIntroduction: Gonorrhea is a worldwide public health problem. In Bhutan, the incidence of sexually transmitted infections increased from 12/10,000 in 2011 to 92/10,000 population in 2015. Disease burden and antibiotic resistance of Neisseria gonorrhoea have never been studied.Aim: To study the burden of gonorrhea and trends in antibiotic susceptibility pattern of N. gonorrhoea in Bhutan.Study Design: A descriptive, retrospective study.Place of Study: The study was carried out in four large hospitals, the only hospitals with microbiology culture facilities in Bhutan; the Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital (JDWNRH), Eastern Regional Referral Hospital (ERRH), Central Regional Referral Hospital (CRRH), and Phuentsholing General Hospital (PGH).Methods: Laboratory data of patients investigated for gonococcal urethritis in the four hospitals; over four years (2012-15) were analyzed. Laboratory processes involved microscopy by Gram stain and culture.Results: A total of 1,858 samples were processed; JDWNRH (60.2%, 1,119), PGH (17.7%, 329), CRRH (11.5%, 214) and ERRH (10.6%, 196). Only 1.2% (22) was females. The commonest age group was 20-30 years. There was an increasing trend in the number of cases in all hospitals. Microscopically, Gram-negative diplococci were seen in 80.7% (1,499) of cases and N. gonorrhoea was isolated in 78.3% (1,173). Only 13.6% (3/22) were culture positive in females. Resistance against nalidixic acid, ciprofloxacin, penicillin, and tetracycline were >70% but against ceftriaxone (currently recommended antibiotic), azithromycin, spectinomycin and cefpodoxime were <5% (critical resistance level for recommended therapy).Conclusion: The burden of gonorrhea increased over years but there were only a few female patients indicating poor adherence to ‘seek and treat partners’ advocated in treatment guidelines. Compliance with treatment guidelines warrants reinforcement. With ceftriaxone resistance of 0.2%, Bhutan can continue to use it as recommended therapy with ongoing, multi-site, resistance surveillance as resistances continue to emerge and spread worldwide. Such surveillance would provide early warning or evidence to base future changes in therapeutic choices
Reliability of satellite, reanalysis and observation-based gridded temperature datasets for climate change impact studies in Bhutan
No full textThe impacts of global warming are pronounced in mountainous regions, yet a scarcity of long-term climate data hinders robust documentation. Reanalysis (ERA5, ERA5-Land, MERRA2), gridded observational (CRU TS), and satellite-derived (MODIS LST) datasets serve as alternatives, but their reliability for local-scale impact studies remains uncertain without rigorous evaluation. Here, we present the first comprehensive assessment of these datasets across Bhutan's complex topography, comparing them to in-situ observations (1996–2023) using systemic statistical metrics, which is a critical prerequisite for their applications. Results reveal that pre-corrected datasets contain severe systematic cold bias increasing with elevation at 3.1–4.2 °C/km, culminating to bias up to −19 °C in the high-altitude areas. The post-correction analysis reveals that elevation-corrected reanalyses data reduces mean bias by a maximum of 31 %. However, enhancement of spatial representativeness of temperature through dynamically estimated lapse rate on in-situ temperature markedly reduces mean bias across all datasets including MODIS-derived air temperature. The altitudinal bias gradient, depending on reanalyses data, is reduced to 0.1°C–0.8 °C/km. Despite these notable improvements in accuracy, MODIS LST and reanalyses/CRU datasets continue to exhibit over- and underestimation, respectively. These findings suggest that limitations of accuracy stem not only from model assimilation or interpolation, but also from limited spatial representativeness of station observations. Our findings underscore that the use of these datasets directly in climate impact studies is impractical without prior corrections. This work provides a framework for evaluating temperature products in mountainous regions, ensuring their utility for adaptation planning in Bhutan and analogous terrains globally
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