“I was not born a doctor, but I will die as one.”
– Dr Lotay Tshering (as told in an interview)
The feelings of Dr Lotay Tshering may echo with most doctors who are extremely passionate about their work, but the name might not be very familiar with most people. Dr Lotay Tshering is a very renowned name in Bhutan. The country, also known as the ‘Land of the Thunder Dragon’ has a population of 8.08 lakhs and is known to be the happiest country in the world with a negative carbon index.
Dr Tshering is the only urological surgeon in the country, having pursued his medical degree from Dhaka University, Bangladesh in the year 2001. After pursuing his basic medical degree, Dr Tshering went on to pursue many higher degrees in medicine from countries like the USA, Australia, and Japan. He also pursued his MBA from the University of Canberra in Australia.
Dr Lotay Shering is well known in Bhutan due to his dedication to patients and his country. He spends about 15-18 hours in the hospital during the weekends, performing surgeries and following up on his patients. Did we say ‘weekends’? What does he do during the week you wonder? Well, he is actually the Prime Minister of the country.
Dr Tshering was elected as the Prime Minister on 7th November 2018 after the third General election conducted in the country in October 2018. His primary intention to join politics in spite of a flourishing medical practice is to improve the existing secondary and tertiary healthcare services in the country. He aims to bring about changes in the healthcare system by introducing new policies and modifying existing ones.
He believes that his passion for his people has motivated him to serve them at a higher level and hence, his decision to join politics and serve as the country’s Prime Minister.
Dr Tshering has many accolades to his name. He volunteered to join the medical team that left for Nepal after the devastating earthquake and also served as part of the King’s mobile medical unit. He was conferred the Druk Thuksey(Heart Son of Bhutan) award by the King of Bhutan for his selfless dedication and service to his country and people.
