32 research outputs found
E-government initiatives in Bhutan: Government to Citizen(G2C) service delivery initiative - A case study
No full textSince the second half of 20th century the world has witnessed unprecedented waves of public sector reforms that are global in nature and scope (Miller 2005); this is commonly referred to as New Public Management (NPM) (Hood 1991; Tolofari 2005; Atreya 2002). The advent, adoption and spread of public sector reforms in both developed and developing nations was mainly driven by the quest for overcoming the problems of the traditional bureaucratic model of public administration, which is often perceived as too big, expensive and inefficient in delivering public services (UNECA 2003; Tolofari 2005; Larbi 1999; Bonina and Cordella 2008). In other words, the main objective of New Public Management (NPM) was to create more efficient, effective, transparent, accountable and responsive public sector in delivering public services (Atreya 2002; de Araújo 2000). Hence, countries around the world have initiated various innovations and initiatives in an effort to revitalize their public administration and one such initiative is the use of Information Communications Technologies (ICT) in public sector as a tool to deliver services in more efficient and effective way (UN 2008).
The implementation of e-government initiatives has taken high priority on the policy agenda of most governments in developed as well as in developing nations around the world as a way towards improving the effectiveness and efficiency in public service delivery (Haldenwang 2004). Although, the use of ICT in the field of public administration promises significant potential benefits in enhancing public service delivery, numerous studies have surprisingly revealed that developing countries have experienced higher rate of failure than developed countries in implementing e-government initiatives (Dada 2006; Syamsuddin 2011). The failure according to Heeks (2002, p-1) is mainly because most, if not all, of the e-government initiatives in developing countries are predominantly based on an “imported 2 concept and imported designs” that has its origin in developed countries with a difference in context and realities from developing countries (Heeks 2002). Yet, the increasing trend in adoption of e-government in all UN member states (UN 2012) indicates that the incidence of higher rate of failures has not stopped developing countries from adopting the e-government initiatives as part of their concerted efforts towards implementing public administration reform.
Like any other developing country, Bhutan too has joined the global trend in adopting egovernment initiatives in its effort to improve the public service delivery. Under the ‘Accelerating Bhutan’s Socio-Economic Development’ (ABSD) initiatives, in 2010, Bhutan embarked on an ambitious plan of providing 110 (out of 200 identified) Government-to- Citizen (G2C) services online through the one-window facility in the Community Centers by end of 2011 (Saraswati 2010; Wangchuk 2010). Among others, the main objective of G2C initiative is to improve citizens’ accessibility to services and reduce service delivery time by automating service delivery process through use of ICT and making services available online (G2C-RGoB 2010). However, given global experience of higher failure rate of e-government initiatives, the question is, whether G2C e-government initiatives in Bhutan would realize its objective and contribute to improved public service delivery, especially in the rural areas? This paper argues that despite the strong government commitment and effort in implementing e-government services, G2C e-government initiative is an over ambitious project in terms of what it can deliver, and there are many issues at the implementation level that need to be addressed for realization of its objective. As the success or failure of egovernment adoption is influenced by various factors, this paper tries to justify the above argument through analysis of G2C e-government initiative in Bhutan in the context of four 3 key factors - policy and regulatory environment; telecommunication and ICT infrastructures; application and content; and users ability to use ICT facilities.
This paper is presented in four sections. The first section provides discussions on egovernment, its concept, benefits and barriers that hider its effective implementation and realization of its objectives. The second section reviews literature on policy transfer for a better understanding of why e-government initiatives, as imported idea and concept, may fail to realize its objectives in developing countries. Also, to establish the understanding of why countries around the world look abroad for policy solution to domestic problem. The third section focuses on the analysis of e-government initiatives in Bhutan - a case of G2C initiative. Finally, the last section provides summary by way of conclusion and some recommendations for the future
Bilateral retinoblastoma presenting as leukocoria in unilateral eye: a case report
No full textRetinoblastoma (RB) is the most common ocular tumour in childhood. Presentations include leukocoria, strabismus, decreased vision and painful blind eye. RB can have extraocular extension into the orbit and also metastasise distantly to the brain. We present the case of a 2-year-old child with RB in both eyes, advanced stage in left eye and early stage in the right eye. The left eye was treated with chemoreduction followed by enucleation. The histopathology examination of enucleated eye showed RB cells with no invasion of the optic nerve. The right eye was salvaged after treatment with cryotherapy and laser therapy. This case is significant as RB is a rare disease that was not previously reported from Bhutan. If a child presents with leukocoria, paediatricians and ophthalmologists should have a high suspicion of RB. Timely referral to an ocular oncologist and vitreoretinal specialist is crucial to save vision and the child’s life
A case of apraxia of eyelid opening associated with benign essential blepharospasm in Bhutan
No full textApraxia of eyelid opening (AEO) is a non-paralytic motor abnormality characterized by difficulty in eyelid opening bilaterally. This is due to the inability of voluntary opening of the eyes in the absence of visible contraction of the orbicularis oculi despite sustained willful frontalis contraction. We present you a case of a 60-year-old woman with AEO associated with benign essential blepharospasm who suffered marked limitation in daily activities due to functional blindness. She was treated with botulinum toxin type A injections following which she had adequate eyelid opening in both eyes during 1 week follow up. It is essential for physicians and patients to be aware of this condition for proper diagnosis and treatment
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
Monographs on Medicinal Plants of Bhutan
No full text[Extract] Bhutanese Traditional Medicine (gso-ba-rig-pa) occupies a significant place for its role both for the healthcare as well as its cultural importance. Therefore, it is important to continuously preserve, improve, validate and promote it through marriage of scientific technologies with ancient knowledge and wisdom.
In this line, the Institute of Traditional Medicine Services (ITMS) has come up with a number of research and development initiatives, one of which is the development of Monograph on Medicinal Plants of Bhutan.
The first volume of Monograph which was developed in 2006 has significantly served in improving the quality of Bhutanese traditional medicines as well as generated income through its sale. The Monograph also disseminated information on Bhutanese medicinal plants both within and outside Bhutan
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
High-risk histopathological features of retinoblastoma following primary enucleation: A Global Study Of 1,426 Patients From 5 Continents
No full textPurpose: To evaluate high-risk histopathological features following primary enucleation of eyes with retinoblastoma and assess the patient outcomes across continents. Methods: A retrospective study of 1,426 primarily enucleated retinoblastoma eyes from five continents. Results: Of all, 923 (65%) were from Asia (AS), 27 (2%) from Australia (AUS), 120 (8%) from Europe (EUR), 162 (11%) from North America (NA), and 194 (14%) from South America (SA). Based on the continent (AS vs. AUS vs. EUR vs. NA vs. SA), the histopathological features included massive choroidal invasion (31% vs. 7% vs. 13% vs. 19% vs. 27%, P = 0.001), postlaminar optic nerve invasion (27% vs. 0% vs. 16% vs. 21% vs. 19%, P = 0.0006), scleral infiltration (5% vs. 0% vs. 4% vs. 2% vs. 7%, P = 0.13), and microscopic extrascleral infiltration (4% vs. 0% vs. <1% vs. <1% vs. 4%, P = 0.68). Adjuvant chemotherapy with/without orbital radiotherapy was given to 761 (53%) patients. Based on Kaplan-Meier estimates in different continents (AS vs. AUS vs. EUR vs. NA vs. SA), the 6-year risk of orbital tumor recurrence was 5% versus 2% versus 0% versus 0% versus 12% (P < 0.001), systemic metastasis was reported in 8% versus 5% versus 2% versus 0% versus 13% (P = 0.001), and death in 10% versus 3% versus 2% versus 0% versus 11% (P < 0.001) patients. Conclusion: There is a wide variation in the infiltrative histopathological features of retinoblastoma across continents, resulting in variable outcomes. SA and AS had a higher risk of orbital tumor recurrence, systemic metastasis, and death compared to AUS, EUR, and NA
Retained intraocular metallic foreign body causing retinal detachment
No full textA 60 year old farmer presented on 4th Sept, 2015with progressive diminution of vision in the right eye following trauma while hammering about a month previously. His vision was Hand Movement only in the right eye and 6/6 in left eye. The anterior segment showed normal findings, except mild anterior chamber reaction and an early cataract in the right eye. The left eye was normal except for an early age-related cataract. Fundoscopy revealed retained intra-ocular foreign body (ROOFB, subtotal RD with macula off in right eye. Interestingly, no entry wound was found. A B-scan and CT scan of the brain and orbit confirmed RIOFB and RD. On 9th September 23G PPV was done and RIOFB was removed. Fluid-air exchange, endolaser and silicon oil injection were done to attach the RD. On 6th February 2016 a cataract extraction with intraocular lens implantation and silicon oil removal was performed which improved the patient’s vision to 6/18p
The Myth Behind Alcohol Happiness
No full textBy drawing on the socio-cultural, religious, and traditional practices that encourage the use of alcohol in Bhutan, the author will examine the causes and factors that induce and maintain drinking habits among Bhutanese. Next, the impact of heavy drinking on Gross National Happiness will be examined. As an outcome of this study, some relevant strategies to minimize harm related to alcohol in Bhutan will be presented
Rangeland Tenure Transfer: An Analysis of Policy and Legal Issues in Bhutan
No full textThis publication analyzes the situation with regard to ownership pattern of Tsamdro (rangeland) prior to the Land Act of Bhutan 2007 vis-à-vis their livestock ownership at present as many are no longer engaged in grazing for their livelihoods, assess the need of individuals, communities and social groups to whom grazing rights need to be leased. The author explores the policy and legal options available to implement the provisions of the Land Act 2007
