BHUTAN

Bhutan’s bedside strategy

In Bhutan, prayers and ceremonies are being offered on a daily basis to ward off the threat of the Covid-19 pandemic…

Yet while fortune may have played its part, the low number of Covid-19 cases in the country is mainly thanks to decisive and collective leadership.

In a recent speech, the incredibly popular and much-loved King of Bhutan, His Majesty King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck said:

‘We must always stand united in spirit and purpose. We must always be one nation with one common goal”.

Strong initiatives taken by its king, government, and citizens have seen the entire country working together. Prime Minister Lyonchhen Dr Lotay Tshering, his cabinet colleagues and key staff across the 10 ministries have stayed away from their families for the duration – partly as a health protocol to avoid taking the virus home and partly to be available at a critical time.

The PM has even been sleeping on a windowsill in his office mini-gym – sleeping for only four or five hours per night. He’s been there since day two of the lockdown and still continues to stay there as the unlocking happens.

You can read more about the Bhutanese Prime Minister here.