Bhutan ranks among the world’s top destinations for wilderness trekking. Some of our trekking routes are through complete wilderness, without any human habitation for days - something that few other destinations can boast of. We can be proud that we can offer treks that are unmatched experiences in total wilderness. That said, I fear that there is near total lack of competence to handle cases of medical emergency in the wilderness.
The mighty Tourism Council of Bhutan (TCB) that has morphed into a combination of regulator and implementer does not seem to think that there is a need for trekking tours to be regulated. They do not have rules that require trekking guides to be skilled in handling emergency cases in the wilderness. Even basic skills such as reading a GPS or altimeter or compass, or knowledge in handling high altitude related conditions is not a requirement to qualify as a trekking guide. I have not heard of the TCB conducting skilling trainings for trekking guides.
What is even more alarming is the fact that the recent paper floated by the TCB that lists a partial list of items to be carried on treks, the most important item is missing from the list - Emergency Medical Kit.
Rudimentary knowledge in First Aid and Emergency Medical Evacuation is essential for guides who are guiding high altitude treks. But I fear that this is not a requirement that is imposed by the TCB on trekking guides and tour operators conducting high altitude treks.
Fortunately, the Rotary Club of Thimphu is hoping to improve the situation. Initiated in 2019 during my tenure as the Club's Secretary, a collaborative project between the Rotary Club of Honolulu Sunset, Rotary Club of Thimphu and Khesar Gyalpo University of Medical Sciences of Bhutan (KGUMSB) will conduct a “Training for Trainers” training program in Thimphu. Five specialist doctors are due to arrive from USA to train a select number of people that will include: Trekking Guides, Senior Cultural Guides, Doctors at the KGUMSB and those at the Emergency Division of JDWNRH, including some members of the all embracing DeSuung.
The training is titled “Bhutan Wilderness Medicine Training Program”. The Rotary Club of Thimphu hopes to rope in the industry players such as GAB, ABTO and the TCB.
The funding for the Project had already been approved by The Rotary Foundation on 18th November 2021 but the project had to be suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the travel restrictions brought about by it. The training team comprising of 5 medical doctors are due to arrive Thimphu during November of this year, lead by:
Dr. Scott McIntosh, MD, MPH
Associate Professor, Division of Emergency Medicine, University of Utah
President, Wilderness Medical Society
Director, Wilderness Medicine Fellowship
Medical Director, Summit County EMS
Flight Physician & Associate Medical Director, AirMed
And
Rotarian Dr. James Ham, M.D., FACEP, FAWM
Immediate Past President, Rotary Club of Honolulu Sunset
Global Grants Chair, Hawaii Rotary District 5000
2021 Rotary International People of Action: Champions of Health
Emergency Physician, Straub Medical Center
Assistant Clinical Professor, University of Hawaii John A Burns School of Medicine
The training program hopes to create a pool of trainers who can continue the training within the country - to build capacity in Wilderness First Aid and Emergency Evacuation.
Sadly, TCB has "metamorphosized" into the ugly Dorji Dadrul who is all bent on killing the industry.
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