‘Second batch PEN HEARTS Refresher Training’ to a mixture of health professionals under Upper Kheng was conducted at Berti Eco Lodge in Tingtibi. The three-day program was conducted from 5th – 7th January 2022. There were a total of 20 participants comprising of two medical doctors, two dental doctors, five Health Assistants, three Staff Nurses, one Lab Technician, two Pharmacy Technicians, three Adm Assistants and two Receptionists from various health centers. PEN HEARTS stands for Package of Essential Non-Communicable Diseases (PEN) and Healthy Lifestyle counselling, Evidence-based, Accessibility to medicine and technology, Risk based assessment, Team based care, System for monitoring (HEARTS). It is a transformational approach (people-centered care approach) and is now termed as SCCI (Service with Compassion and Care Initiatives) and will benefit the general population and the people of Khengrig Namsum at large by this program which is in place since early 2020.

Honorable Dasho Dzongdag, Zhemgang Dzongkhag who also participated in between one of the sessions on the second day urged all the participants to rededicate ourselves in the services to the nation with utmost commitment and dedications in fulfilling the objectives of the program and to make the lives of the Bhutanese people even better.

The training was conducted with financial support from WHO LINKS project through LSRD Program, Non-Communicable Diseases Division, Department of Public Health, Ministry of Health, Thimphu.  

Contributed By: Thinley Tobgyal (ADHO), Health Sector