Suchergebnisse

This paper attempts to establish a coherent role for the Bhutanese media as Bhutan seeks to create an enlightened society through the pursuit of Gross National Happiness. With the debate on the Constitution of Bhutan begun, the paper will discuss the implications of the freedom of media, freedom of speech, and the right to information that will be guaranteed. It will try to portray these vast concepts in Bhutan's context and look at the new freedoms – with their intricacies and contradictions – to find the lines of balance. The paper highlights two critical issues as the basis for the discussions and as foundations for the role of the Bhutanese media. The first is that the media must provide – in fact it must become – the public space for Bhutanese society. The second is that, given the powerful forces of state control and commercial drive that is shaping the global media, the Bhutanese media must not lose focus of its priority in providing – and in being - a public service. This paper provides a strong justification to instil the concept of public service in the Bhutanese media against the tide of media commercialism that has overwhelmed the global media.

Kinley Dorji,1,2 Phudit Tejativaddhana,1,3 Taweesak Siripornpibul,1,4 Mary Cruickshank,1,5 David Briggs1,6 1College of Health Systems Management, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, Thailand; 2Ministry of Health, Royal Government of Bhutan, Thimphu, Bhutan; 3ASEAN Institute for Health Development, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand; 4Faculty of Science, Department of Mathematics, Naresuan University, Phitsanulok, Thailand; 5School of Nursing and Healthcare Professions, Federation University, Mpunt Helen, VIC, Australia; 6University of New England, Armidale, NSW, Australia Objective: This study aims to identify the required management competencies, current competency levels, and strategies for improving the management competencies of Bhutanese primary health care (PHC) managers.Methods: A quantitative method with a cross-sectional survey using self-administered questionnaires. This study recruited 339 PHC managers across Bhutan. The data were analyzed using statistical software.Results: This study identified three competency domains and seven key sub-domain competencies. People domain was perceived to be the highest required competency with a mean score of 4.2376, followed by execution (4.1851), and the transformation (4.0501) domains. For the seven key sub-domains, the communication sub-domain (4.3220) was perceived as the highest required competency, followed by professionalism (4.2967), managing change (4.1776), relationship building (4.1686), analytical thinking (4.1091), leadership (4.0980), and innovative thinking (3.9794). The current competency levels of PHC managers in domains and sub-domain competencies were the people domain (3.7322), execution (3.6471), and the transformation (3.5554). For the sub-domains, communication (3.8092), professionalism (3.7939), relationship building (3.6603), analytical thinking (3.6396), leadership (3.5805), managing change (3.5723), and innovative thinking (3.4543).Conclusion: Findings of Bhutan health managers' competencies are consistent with the findings of other international contexts. This study suggests that agencies responsible for health system need to focus more on the competencies defined by the study to positively influence health leadership and management development interventions. Keywords: Bhutanese primary health care managers, district health system, health reform, leadership and management competency

SummarySapria himalayana Griff. (Rafflesiaceae) and its biology are described. Its distribution in Bhutan is mapped, taking into account recent records.

BACKGROUND: Alcohol use is a major public health problem in Bhutan. Compliance with regulations at the point of sale is an important strategy in alcohol control. Retail outlets were briefed on sale regulations and provided notification of rules, which they were directed to display on the premises. The extent to which licensed alcohol outlets responded to possible alcohol purchases was assessed through the use of young proxy-purchasers, adults feigning alcohol intoxication and sober adults. A total of 854 visits (pre versus post visits) were made across four district towns. Two towns (Damphu town in Tsirang district and Pema Gatshel town in Pema Gatshel district) received pre- and post-intervention purchase surveys, while the other two neighbouring towns (Khuruthang town in Punakha and Bajo town in Wangdue) were administered only baseline surveys. METHOD: We used a pre- and post-test community intervention design covering all alcohol retailers both on premise (bar, hotel, restaurant, karaoke bars) and off premise (grocery shops). Compliance with alcohol regulations at the point of sale was assessed through the use of young proxy-purchasers, adults feigning alcohol intoxication and sober adults. RESULTS: Retailers rarely checked the age and/or identification (ID) of the proxy-purchasers before the intervention. There was a 22.7% (8.6, 37) percent increase in compliance with laws after the intervention. While some strategies are suggested, the strongest and most effective measure to prevent under-age drinking and service to intoxicated individuals is more rigorous enforcement of existing liquor laws. CONCLUSION: Alcohol control requires ongoing government enforcements, supplemented by public awareness and knowledge.