June 30, 2026
THIMPHU – A centre of excellence in health and disease prevention and control in the country, the Royal Centre for Infectious Disease Control was inaugurated today at Gidagom in Thimphu.
Built at a cost of Japanese Yen 3.752 billion under Grant Aid assistance from the Government of Japan, the centre is a new version of the Public Health Laboratory in the country.
The centre will serve as Bhutan’s premier institution for the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and management of infectious diseases.
It will also generate reliable scientific information on health and diseases to ensure well-informed policies and promote effective and sustainable public health interventions.
The facility comprises an 80-bed specialized hospital, with the capacity to expand to 100 beds during public health emergencies, significantly enhancing the country’s surge response capability.
The RCID houses first negative-pressure isolation units, a critical feature for strengthening infection prevention and control measures and safely managing highly infectious diseases.
The facility is also equipped with advanced Japanese medical equipment and diagnostic systems to support high-quality patient care and public health services.
At the inaugural and consecration ceremony, the President of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Dr Akihiko Tanaka, said that the centre is a “state-of-the-art” facility designed to tackle infectious diseases.
“Infectious diseases remain one of the greatest challenges facing humanity,” said Dr Akihiko Tanaka. “Built through Bhutan–Japan cooperation, this centre will not only strengthen the health system in Bhutan but also contribute to global health security.”
He said that the successful operation of the centre would depend on skilled professionals, including doctors, nurses, and scientists, and confirmed that JICA would continue to support technical cooperation as and when the facility becomes fully operational.
Health Secretary Pemba Wangchuk said the hospital would play a critical role in the country’s future public health response, particularly during pandemics.
“During COVID-19, we experienced first-hand the need for a dedicated infectious disease control centre,” said Secretary Pemba Wangchuk. “That experience led to the planning of this hospital, and today we are pleased that it will serve the country, especially in the event of any future global pandemic.”
Chief Medical Officer at Gidagom, Dr Bhim Nath Subady, said the new hospital would offer greater comfort for both patients and staff, with more spacious wards, improved sanitation facilities, shower rooms, and a reliable 24-hour water supply.
He said that additional manpower would be required to operate the advanced equipment and expanded services provided by the centre.
The RCID is expected to ease pressure on existing hospitals, strengthen infection prevention and control measures, and serve as a national hub for research, surveillance, and professional development in infectious disease management.
The inauguration also marked the celebration of 40 years of diplomatic relations between Bhutan and Japan.