Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi and his Bhutanese counterpart Tshering Tobgay on Saturday inaugurated the Gyaltsuen Jetsun Pema Mother and Child Hospital, a state-of-the-art hospital in Thimphu, built with the assistance of the Government of India this morning.

The development of the 150 – bedded Gyaltsuen Jetsun Pema Wangchuk Mother and Child Hospital has been supported by India in two phases. Phase one of the Hospital was constructed at a cost of 22 Crore rupees and has been operational since 2019.

The construction of the second phase was taken up in 2019, as part of the 12th Five Year Plan at a cost of 119 Crore rupees and is completed now. The newly constructed Hospital would add value to the quality of mother and child health services in Bhutan. The new facility will house state-of-the-art facilities for Pediatrics, Gynecology and Obstetrics, Anesthesiology, Operation Theatre, Neonatal Intensive Care and Pediatric Intensive Care.

MEA said that the Gyaltsuen Jetsun Pema Wangchuk Mother and Child Hospital stands as a shining example of the India-Bhutan partnership in health care.

After the inauguration, Mr Modi left for New Delhi. In a special gesture, Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck accompanied by Prime Minister Tobgay accorded a warm send-off to Mr Modi at the airport.

In a social media post, Mr Modi said, this has been a very special Bhutan visit and he had the opportunity to meet the King, PM Tobgay and other distinguished people of Bhutan. He said the talks will add even more vigour to the India-Bhutan friendship. Mr Modi also expressed gratitude to have been conferred the Order of the Druk Gyalpo. He thanked the people of Bhutan for their warmth and hospitality. Mr Modi said India will always be a reliable friend and partner for Bhutan.