Field notes
Meeting the Director of Public health
What we saw
Two members of our team, Rinzin and Thinley, visited Mr. Karma, Director of Public Health, at the Ministry of Health office in Kawajangsa, Thimphu. Mr. Sonam Wangchuk, Program Officer of the Cancer Control Program, was also present at the meeting.The meeting was an open, verbal discussion. It began with a demonstration of the Druk Help dashboard and its features. The discussion then moved to the development of the Druk Help portal, including its integration with EPIS and other relevant organizations.Our team shared that currently our focus and priority is on the development of the system. Training and collaboration will follow, but only after the system is developed well to be presented.
Personal reflection
Why did we come for the meeting? Our team introduce Druk Help to the Director of Public Health and to show what we have built so far. The Department’s support and guidance matter for our work, so it was important that the Director have insights of our project and the progress made so far.
What happened? We shared our mission of improvising the Druk help portal by integrating with EPIS with support from Govt Tech and raising caregivers (volunteers) with the Desuups and Gyalsups, and of extending this to the monastic body. We explained how connecting health workers, caregivers, care receivers and community workers will help the work flow smoothly. The Director’s appreciation encouraged and motivated our team. It reminded us that we are working towards a big goal: serving the country and its people. We will keep the same determination as we continue to build the system, because a strong foundation will let the care we raise reach the people who need it.
What’s next? The Director will send an official letter to GovTech for the way forward. Our team was advised to keep in touch with Dr. Kinley and Mr. Sonam, who will help us navigate the support and guidance we need. We are optimistic about our next meeting with GovTech, where we hope to build collaboration and gain additional support.