BBSCL

Sanitation and hygiene in healthcare centres have seen significant improvements nationwide in recent years according to local leaders and health officials. They attribute this to the introduction of the Water and Sanitation for Health Facility Improvement Tool or the WASH FIT programme. However, they are now calling for more inclusive facilities to better accommodate persons with disabilities, the elderly and...

The National Health Survey 2023 reveals that areca nut consumption among Bhutanese aged 15 to 69 rose to nearly 60 per cent last year, marking a three per cent increase since 2019. The health ministry attributes the rise to the product being cheap, easily available and culturally accepted in the country. To address this, the ministry plans to introduce measures...

The people of Shali village in Pema Gatshel’s Shumar Gewog celebrated the consecration of their newly renovated two-storey community, Lhakhang. The reconstruction began in 2020 and was completed in August this year, costing Nu 6 M. The new Lhakhang provides a spacious hall and better facilities for community rituals. Shortage of space was a problem for the people while conducting...

Delays in fully commissioning the Punatsangchhu-II hydropower project are expected to affect economic growth in 2024. The country’s economy is now projected to grow by five per cent this year, over one percentage point lower than earlier estimates. The finance ministry, in its latest macroeconomic situation report, said that the downward revision was mainly due to the PHPA-II commissioning delay...