Bhutan PM Lotay Tshering serves as “doctor” in weekends

Guwahati, May 10, 2019:

Lotay Tshering happens to be the best doctor in the country. But it may be a little common that we came with the story of a doctor, right?

Well, Tshering is not an ordinary doctor; he is also the elected Prime Minister of Bhutan.

The elected Prime Minister of Bhutan serves the nation in the weekdays, but at the same time, he doesn’t waste the weekends but treats patients referred to him and Thursday morning he offers medical advice to trainees and doctors. And Sunday is family time for Lotay Tshering. Cool Right?

“For me, it’s a de-stressor,” said Tshering, who was elected by 750,000 people as PM last year in only its third democratic election since the end of absolute monarchy in 2008.

The Buddhist kingdom is in many ways a case apart, benchmarking itself on happiness instead of economic growth.

Tshering, who trained in Bangladesh, Japan, Australia, and the United States, began his political career in 2013, but his party failed to make headway in that year’s election

Back in the prime minister’s office, a lab coat hangs on the back of his chair.

Patients don’t have to pay directly for healthcare in Bhutan, but Tshering says that much more remains to be done despite important strides in medical treatment.

While the country has seen major improvements in life expectancy, a reduction in infant mortality and the elimination of many infectious diseases, the number of lifestyle diseases -- including alcoholism and diabetes -- is on the rise.

“We must now slowly put more focus on secondary and tertiary healthcare,” Tshering said.