Water-based therapies of Bhutan: current practices and the recorded clinical evidence of Balneotherapy

Medical water therapy (also called medical hydrology) is practiced worldwide both for relaxation and treatment of diseases. While this practice is still thriving in Bhutan, there is a lack of proper documentation and critical study. Therefore, the current study reports on the water therapies practiced in Bhutan and their health benefits. We used four-stage process: (1) a review of literature on balneotherapy (both traditional textbooks and scientific papers); (2) listing and surveying the hot springs, mineral, and holy spring waters; (3) reviewing the health records of the patients maintained at the traditional hospitals and interviewing traditional physicians and patients about health benefits; and (4) reviewing available literature to identify existing clinical trials data to provide evidence for hydrotherapies. We found three main forms of hydrotherapies are practiced in Bhutan, which comprises herbal bath therapy, balneotherapy, and spiritually empowered waters.The most popular hydrotherapies are herbal bath and hot spring therapies. Herbal bath therapy needs traditional physicians' prescriptions, while hot springs do not require it. Through field surveys, ten different hot springs (tsha-chu) and 17 medicinal water or mineral springs (sman-chu), and 17 holy spring-waters (sgrub-chu) were identified. In general, medical water therapies are used by the Bhutanese people to treat various ailments, including gastritis, neurological disorders, arthritis, dermatological diseases, and rheumatological and musculoskeletal disorders. Even though a lack of scientific evidence makes it difficult to draw concrete conclusions on their traditionally claimed efficacy and safety, there are clinical evidences documented from other countries

Exploring Nowcasting Techniques for Real-Time GDP Estimation in Bhutan

In various policy institutions, current estimates of quarterly GDP growth are frequently employed to advise decision makers on the current state of the economy. The bridge equation serves as a fundamental model for nowcasting, elucidating GDP growth through the utilization of time-aggregated business cycle indicators. Recent academic literature has shown significant interest in an alternative method for nowcasting known as mixed-data sampling, abbreviated as MIDAS. Given this context, the paper examines the following questions: How can we estimate the annual GDP of Bhutan through MIDAS and bridge equations? Do they matter for nowcasting GDP growth in practice? By addressing these questions, the study aims to to provide insights into the application and comparative efficacy of these nowcasting techniques in an empirical context

Renewable Natural Resources (RNR)Research Programme in Bhutan : An Overview

The objective of this paper is to give an overview of how the Renewable Natural Resources (RNR) research is being implemented in Bhutan. The RNR sector comprises mainly of agriculture, livestock and forestry sectors. Agriculture research in Bhutan initially started in early 1960s through the introduction of new crop and fruit varieties from Indian Agriculture Research Institutes. Thereafter, livestock and forestry research started in livestock farms and forestry research institutes, respectively. The first Agriculture Research Institute in Bhutan was established in 1982 which underwent various changes culminating into the present Council for RNR Research of Bhutan (CoRRB) in 2003. The Council is chaired by the Minister of Agriculture and the Director of CoRRB functions as the member Secretary of the Council. Four research centres with national and regional mandates located at strategic locations of the country were established to cater to the research and development needs of the farmers living in different agro-ecological zones. These centres are mandated to carry out research in the field of agriculture, horticulture, livestock, forestry and other cross cutting sectors of soils, plant protection, water management, meteorology, socio-economic studies. Apart from the Regional centres of research, there are sub centres where ever the area to be covered by the centre is large. The different departments also conduct research in consultation with CoRRB to avoid duplication of efforts. The main objectives of the RNR Research are to generate relevant technologies for the farming communities for ensuring food security and enhancement of rural income. These technologies are packaged as extension materials,news letters and journals for dissemination to farmers and all concerned stakeholders.Article信州大学農学部紀要. 46(1-2): 139-153 (2010)departmental bulletin pape

Entrepreneurship Education in Bhutan: Perception, Culture and Challenges

The present study was undertaken to determine the perception of Bhutanese students towards entrepreneurship and the influence of entrepreneurship in their career choice by a team of lecturers from Samtse College of Education and a teacher from the Samtse Higher Secondary School. It was a multifaceted research involving survey, interviews, focus group interviews and document analysis. The samples include 921 students [19 diploma, 248 undergraduate, 654 school students (460=HSS & 194=MSS)], currently studying in the schools, colleges and VTIs under Samtse, Chhukha and Thimphu Dzongkhags. The major findings include: perception of students is inclined more towards entrepreneurship second to government jobs, students and parents are aware of the increasing unemployment scenario in Bhutan, minimal focus on entrepreneurship education in the school and university level curriculum, and the pedagogical practices doesnot adequately favour entrepreneurship knowledge and skill development. Some of the recommendations are a need to include entrepreneurship education in the school curriculum right from primary education, and to disseminate information related to entrepreneurship among students in all the schools and colleges

Rabies virus strains circulating in Bhutan: implications for control.

We report a molecular epidemiological study of rabies virus strains circulating in animal populations in Bhutan, and investigate potential origins of these viruses. Twenty-three rabies virus isolates originating from dogs and other domestic animals were characterized by sequencing the partial nucleoprotein (N) gene (395 bp). Phylogenetic analysis was conducted and the Bhutanese isolates were compared with rabies viruses originating from other parts of the world. Phylogenetic analysis showed that Bhutanese isolates were highly similar and were closely related to Indian strains and South Asian Arctic–like–1 viruses. Our study suggests that the rabies viruses spreading in southern parts of Bhutan have originated from a common ancestor, perhaps from the Indian virus strain. Keywords: molecular epidemiology, rabies, Arctic–like virus, BhutanThailand Research Fund (grant No.DBG5180026

Rabies virus strains circulating in Bhutan: implications for control.

postprintWe report a molecular epidemiological study of rabies virus strains circulating in animal populations in Bhutan, and investigate potential origins of these viruses. Twenty-three rabies virus isolates originating from dogs and other domestic animals were characterized by sequencing the partial nucleoprotein (N) gene (395 bp). Phylogenetic analysis was conducted and the Bhutanese isolates were compared with rabies viruses originating from other parts of the world. Phylogenetic analysis showed that Bhutanese isolates were highly similar and were closely related to Indian strains and South Asian Arctic–like–1 viruses. Our study suggests that the rabies viruses spreading in southern parts of Bhutan have originated from a common ancestor, perhaps from the Indian virus strain. Keywords: molecular epidemiology, rabies, Arctic–like virus, BhutanThailand Research Fund (grant No.DBG5180026

Special Sensory Function Deficit among Patients with Post-COVID-19 Visiting a Tertiary Care Centre

Introduction: Several patients who recover from COVID-19 infection continue to have persistent symptoms even after recovery from the disease. The special sensory functions such as taste, smell and hearing are affected by COVID-19 infection even after recovery from the illness. The aim of the study was to find out the prevalence of special sensory deficits among patients with post-COVID-19 visiting a tertiary care centre. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among adult patients who recovered from COVID-19 visiting a tertiary care centre from 1 January 2022 to 31 December 2022. After obtaining ethical approval from the Research Ethics Board of Health, data on patients who were diagnosed with COVID-19 one year ago was obtained from the surveillance register from the Ministry of Health. They were contacted by phone call and invited to the centre to participate in the study. Appropriate clinical examination and tests were carried out to assess the special sensory deficits. A convenience sampling technique was used. The point estimate was calculated at a 95% Confidence Interval. Results: Among 271 patients, the prevalence of sensory function deficit was 39 (14.39%) (10.21-18.57, 95% Confidence Interval). Conclusions: The prevalence of special sensory deficits after recovery from COVID-19 infections was found to be similar to the findings of other studies

The sustainable management of micro hydropower systems for rural electrification : the case of Bhutan

Thesis (M.S.)--Humboldt State University, Environmental Systems: Energy, Environment, and Society Option, 2007In this study I explore the challenges and opportunities associated with the\ud development of sustainable mini-grid hydropower systems by evaluating two systems\ud with different management models in the Ura and Chendebji communities in Bhutan.\ud This research is based on field surveys and key informant interviews, complimented by a\ud review of the literature. The findings reveal that access to electricity has improved the\ud quality of life but has not triggered any substantial increase in income.\ud Although there is evidence of surplus electricity generation, daily peak loads\ud overshoot the installed capacity of the micro hydropower plants. The main reasons for\ud high peaks include increased use of electrical appliances (lights and rice cookers) as a\ud result of population growth. Promotion of energy efficient appliances and load shifting\ud could address some of the peak demand and supply issues. However, without a grid\ud connection, peak loads are unlikely to be met.\ud Additionally, the financial analysis in this study shows that revenues from the\ud current tariff do not meet the combined costs of annual operation and maintenance, and\ud levelized repair and replacement costs per annum of the systems. There is a need for an\ud annual subsidy of US$2,281 for Chendebji and US$ 1,576 for Ura micro hydropower\ud systems.\ud My key policy recommendation is that the development of micro hydropower\ud should be coupled with the development of income generating opportunities in order to\ud enhance the economic self-reliance of rural communities. Furthermore, by integrating\ud micro hydropower with the grid at higher feed-in tariffs, the sale of surplus power could\ud improve load management and displace the need for government to provide a subsidy.\ud Finally, an education and training program should be provided in order to continuously\ud maintain the skills of the local plant operators and increase consumer awareness about energy conservation.NORAD (Norwegian Assistance for Development) and Royal Government of Bhuta