02/10/2025
SEPTEMBER 2025 THAT WAS..@ #!
Samdrup Jongkhar Dzongkhag shares a porous border with Indian state of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh and more so, given the humongous movement of people, export and import of goods on the daily basis through its ICP and other point of entries, there are constant public health concerns related to cross-border transmission of endemic diseases such as malaria, dengue, Japanese encephalitis (JE), and rabies.
As the nation gears up for the malaria elimination certification, SJ hospital in collaboration with our SJ Dzongkhag Health Sector engaged in several advocacy and awareness initiatives during September 2025.
1. High-Level Advocacy for vector borne diseases, 12th September 2025:
The hospital participated in the high-level advocacy program on vector-borne diseases organised by VBDP and DoPH, Ministry of Health, bringing together Director, DoPH, Dasho Dzongda and Dzongkhag authorities, Thromde representatives, regional officials, business stakeholders, VDCP program officials. The program emphasized intersectoral collaboration and collective responsibility in preventing and controlling vector-borne diseases.
2. 19th World Rabies Day 2025 with the theme “ Act Now: You, Me, Community “!
To mark World Rabies Day, an awareness program was conducted at Phuntshothang Geog, Samdrupchoeling Dungkhag targeting Dungkhag officials and students. The session highlighted the importance of vaccination, responsible pet ownership, waste management and prompt treatment following animal bites to prevent rabies.
Rabies is 100% preventable but it is 100% fatal once clinical symptoms appear.
Anti Rabies Vaccine and Immunoglobulin availed before the appearance of symptoms, even if bitten by rabid animal/dog has proven efficacy!!!
3. Awareness Talk to “Bhutan Red Cross Society Members”.
The hospital team delivered an awareness talk in Samdrup Jongkhar Thromde for Bhutan Red Cross Society members. The program covered prevention of vector-borne diseases, HIV/AIDS awareness, and Rabies prevention, with an emphasis on community engagement and timely health-seeking behavior.
Through these activities, Samdrup Jongkhar Hospital in collaboration with VDCP program, Dzongkhag Administration reinforced its commitment to strengthening public health awareness, promoting preventive practices, and engaging key stakeholders and community groups to reduce the risk of communicable diseases especially in terms of vector borne diseases, HIV and Rabies.